Martin Diaz

Rios

Martín Díaz Ríos was born on November 11, 1931 (Saint Martin's Day) in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. He was the oldest of ten child. His father was a Captain in the Mexican Army and his mother was a young homemaker. The family moved several times, before settling down in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico.

In addition to attending military school, Martín's interests were calligraphy, soccer, basketball, swimming and boxing - he also had aspirations to be an airplane pilot.

In 1955, he moved to California, to achieve the American Dream - first to Norwalk, then to his permanent residence in San Jose. He worked odd jobs painting structures and business signs and doing demolition work.

In March of 1957, he returned to Norwalk and brought back his beloved, Patricia Burgueño - to build their dream life together. That Spring, he eventually got permanent employment with Sun Garden Packing Company. He worked his way up, from a seasonal employee to Machinist Supervisor and retired in 1992.

He and Patricia loved life and even small occasions were celebrated with music, food and liquid refreshments! They often visited Southern California and Mexico - to stay connected to family and relatives. Their travel highlights were to New York, Italy and Switzerland - vacations they always wanted to "do again"!

Martín is preceeded in death by his:

Father, Candelario Rios-Ramos (1990-1983)
Mother, Micaela Loeza Diaz (1914-1948)
Son, Martin Rios, Jr (1958-2003)
Wife of 58 years, Patricia (1939-2015)
Brother, Jose Pedro Rios (1934-2010)
Brother, Antonio Rios (1940-2017)
Sister, Lydia Rios-Garcia (1937-2017)
Brother, Angel Rios, Sr (1935-2021)

He is survived by his:

Daughters - Magdalena Rios, Lourdes Rios, Elizabeth Rios (Peter Duran, Jr), Patricia Santiago (Marvin Santiago, Jr)

Grandchildren - Jimmy Mendoza, David Mendoza, Martin Rios III, Terra Santiago (Derek Tubbs), Tatum Santiago (Kyle Farley), Taylor Santiago, Marvin Santiago III

Great-Grandchildren - Jimmy Mendoza, Leyla Mendoza, Tristan Tubbs, Tandon Tubbs

Bonus Grand/Great-Grandchildren - Michael de Leon, Alyxandria Duran, Marc Duran, Jayden Tubbs

Siblings -
Imelda Rodriguez
Delia Rios
Marina Rios-Rangel
Rosa Maria Rios-Bolin
Federico Rios

Plus countless Nieces/Nephews, Great-Nieces/Nephews, God-Children, Compadres, Friends and Friends who become Family...he loved you all!

The viewing will be at 1:00 PM and Mass will start at 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 24, at La Sagrada Familia Church at Rancho el Tepozan, 961 Foothill Road, Hollister, CA. Interment will be on Monday, January 25, at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave. San Jose, CA 95125. All COVID-19 state guidelines will be followed. Masks will be required.