Conrado Martinez

Conrado A. Martinez, affectionately known to family and friends as Sonnie, was born to Eugenio Cruz Martinez and Mercedes Ayala Martinez on November 5, 1943 in Coolidge. He was the
youngest of eight children with four sisters, Lucia Quintero, Grace Rocha, Terry Chavez and Victoria Reyes, and three brothers, Eugene and John Martinez and Al Martin.
Sonnie entered his eternal rest at Hospice of the Valley in Gilbert at 2:42 a.m.on June 18, 2018. He transitioned peacefully and quietly with his son, Joe and daughter, Andrea holding his hands as he drew his final breath just hours after Father’s Day.
He is now celebrating in the presence of the LORD with Christine, his devoted wife of 43 years; four sons, Conrad Jr., Patrick, Christopher and Jonathan David; and one granddaughter, Mikaela Aubrey Foster. He was 74 years old.
As the proprietor and owner of Sonnie’s Northside Shell from the early to late 70s, and Sonnie’s Food Bargain Market from the mid-70s to early 80s, Sonnie was known as an upstanding, honest and benevolent business owner in Coolidge. Always willing to help those in need, Sonnie modeled compassion and giving to those facing hard times and was beloved by the community he served. His infectious smile, robust laugh, sharp sense of humor and impeccable people skills combined to create a charismatic personality and contagious positivity. Sonnie prided himself with having been successful in business having had only an 8th grade education. He credited his skill as a meat cutter and business savvy to the mentorship of his older brothers. For this reason, Sonnie valued the benefits of mentoring and positive relationships as he became a mentor and friend to many in his community. As a business owner and provider for his family, Sonnie worked long hours and modeled old-school work ethic for his children and employees. He was a hard believer in the simple philosophy of an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage. He believed the greatest dignity a man can achieve in life is to be honest, to treat others with respect and kindness, and to know that he has worked for what he has obtained. When not working, Sonnie’s idea of fun consisted of simple things like shooting the guns with his children, camping trips to the White Mountains, trips to visit local and out-of-state family, and he never knew a steak he didn’t like. Sonnie also ensured that his kids grew up with a healthy dose of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood westerns. Sonnie’s legacy of work ethic, high character, love for God and others, as well as his zest for life has been passed on and will continue to represent him through a family of survivors that is 22 strong. Although preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, two brothers, four sons, one granddaughter and his devoted wife of 43 years, Sonnie is survived by two sons, Joe and Michael Martinez; one daughter, Andrea Foster; eight grandchildren, Conrad, Leah and Ciara Foster, Aaron, Jessica and Marissa Martinez, Alina Felix and Holly Prze; and 11 great-grandchildren, Haylie, Micah, Anila, Tiago, Zayden, Zariah, Ezra, Eliel, Stephen, Jolon and Jacy.
Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be conducted at
11:00 a.m. June 30 at J. Warren Funeral Services Coolidge Chapel,
541 W. Coolidge Avenue, Coolidge.