Manny Martinez, one of the founders of Brothers Redevelopment, which helps renovate houses for the elderly and disabled, died unexpectedly on Nov. 14. He was 70.
Martinez, a longtime community activist, had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and doctors were preparing him for surgery when he had a fatal heart attack.
Martinez and Joe Giron founded the nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment several years ago, and it has helped several hundred homeowners renovate their homes, said Martinez’s son-in-law, Gary Losh of Littleton.
Martinez worked 15 years with the Denver Housing Authority as a community liaison and was an aide to the late Denver Mayor Bill McNichols and former Denver City Councilman Sal Carpio.
At one time he was president of Denver Community Development Corp., which helps small businesses get loans.
He also served for a time as a liaison with Denver Public Schools, helping schools deal with truancy and student behavioral problems.
In recent years Martinez volunteered with Metro Organizations for People, a faith-based nonprofit agency that helps congregations and schools.
The organization works mainly in low-income and moderate-income neighborhoods and helps with leadership development, strengthening schools, improving test scores, involving parents in their children’s schools and keeping kids in school, said Jaci Braga, an organizer with the organization.
Martinez was so well-known in his neighborhood near the west side that many called him “Mr. West Side,” Losh said.
“He was giving, caring and energetic,” Losh said.
His interests centered around his family, said his daughter, Veronica Martinez of Denver.
She said her father wanted his family gathered at his home every Sunday after church.
Manuel Martinez was born in Dawson, N.M., on Aug. 15, 1938, and moved to Denver when he was a young teenager.
He attended West High School but dropped out to join the Navy, where he served on the USS Intrepid.
He married Virginia Arguello on Aug. 15, 1959.
His first job was as a Denver Public Schools custodian.
He earned his GED and later took courses at Metropolitan Community College and the Community College of Denver.
In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by another daughter: Cynthia Martinez of Littleton, and one son, Manuel Martinez Jr., of Denver; seven grandchildren; five sisters: Margaret Hernandez and Annie Lopez, both of California; Henrietta Wood of Colorado Springs, Susana Martinez of Denver and Josephine Grano of Thornton, and three brothers: Casper Martinez of Victorville, Calif., Joe Martinez of Denver and Jesus Martinez of California.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com
