Miguel Martinez

AZTEC

Miguel 'Mike' Sandoval Martinez
July 5, 1914 - Nov. 27, 2009
Miguel "Mike" Sandoval Martinez, 95, of Aztec, peacefully slipped the surly bonds of earth, with his family by his side, on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. He was born in Haynes (Largo Canyon) on July 5, 1914, to Pablo Sandoval and Josephine Martinez Sandoval.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Esquipula Vigil Sr.; brothers, Jose Liandro Sandoval Vigil, Abenicio Sandoval Martinez, John R. Vigil and Esquipula "Skip" Vigil Jr.; sisters, Candelaria Sandoval Palma and Rosita Vigil; son, Miguel Martinez Jr.; grandsons, Miguel Martinez III and Uhl Q. Martinez; and great granddaughter, Kristen Martinez.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Verna C. Martinez; children, Elaine (John) Hill, Bernardo C. Martinez, Georgiana Fernandez and Pauline (Bob) Bolin. Also surviving are his brother, Richard Vigil; sisters, Eliria Lydia V. Murphy, Alice V. Mosee, Grace V. Lente and Genevieve V. Bailey; grandchildren, Sydney Holderness, Pat Lucero, Jovonna Smith, Kathryn Lucero, Stephanie Lantz, Carl Jenks, Lyle Jenks and Randy Armenta; 24 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Mike grew up in the Largo and in Durango, Colo., where he attended Park School. At about age 16, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, with his brother Abe, in Gallup. In 1930, he signed on with Fred Harvey Hotel El Navajo in Gallup as a typesetter for their menus and as all-around man: baker, cook and ice cream maker. Then in 1931, he got the opportunity to transfer to the Fred Harvey Hotel La Posada in Winslow, Ariz. This was the beginning of his cooking and baking career.
In May 1939, he and Bernardita "Verna" Chavez were married in Gallup. They made their home in Winslow where their eldest son, Mike Jr., was born.
During the late 1930s and through the war years, Mike worked at the Fred Harvey Houses - El Alvarado in Albuquerque, La Posada in Winslow, El Tovar at the Grand Canyon and El Navajo in Gallup. He cooked and baked for the many troop trains as they came to the station. Daughter Elaine Lena was born in Gallup during his work at El Navajo.
In 1946, Mike and Verna moved to Turley, where he worked his father-in-law's farm and worked as a baker at Joe May Bakery in Farmington. Bernardo and Georgiana were born during this time. In 1952, the family moved back to Gallup and Mike again took up his work at the Fred Harvey Hotel until it closed. Pauline was born at this time. From the late 1950s, he was chef at the El Rancho Hotel and The Shalimar Inn.
The family moved to San Luis Obispo, Calif., in 1968, where he was a cook at CalPoly University. They returned to Gallup within a year and he then worked as chef at the Country Club until 1975 when he moved to Aztec. He worked at The Inn in Farmington until his retirement.
He would tell anyone and everyone about his life history, especially his time at the Harvey Hotels. His devotion to God and family were his greatest joys. He will be truly missed.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Alternative Choice Cremation and Funeral Services, 804 N. Dustin Ave., in Farmington.
A reception will follow at The Garden Cafe at The Inn, Broadway and Scott Avenue, in Farmington.
Inurnment will be private at a later date.
Arrangements are with Alternative Choice Cremation and Funeral Services; (505) 326-3671.