Manuel Martinez Lopez, 85, of Salinas, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. He was born on February 18, 1929 in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico. He was the third of 6 siblings, his older brother, Alfred was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1925, and his older sister Frances was born in Aurora Illinois in 1927. The family moved back to Chicago when the persecution of the Catholic Church began to take place in Mexico. His younger sister Victoria was born in Chicago in 1931. In 1937, Daniel his brother was born, and Joseph in 1939, both in Los Angeles. The family had by then moved to Pasadena, California.

He was a very enterprising young man from his youth. At the age of 12 he was delivering newspaper on Orange Grove Boulevard. He would deliver newspapers to the Wrigley Mansion, which is now the headquarters of the Rose Parade. His greatest regret was that the Wrigley’s never gave him a tip. Afterwards, he got a prime corner on Colorado Boulevard. The family moved to Salinas during the war in 1942. There was then a great amount of agricultural work for both men and women, since the war was taking place. Manuel attended Washington Junior High, and then Salinas High School. At Salinas High he was chosen on the all-star team in football. He also worked as a car mechanic. He served in the army in Germany for a couple of years as a corporal. He then decided to study drafting. He finally landed a job at the Los Angeles City Hall on the 7th floor until his retirement. When Manuel recently began getting ill, we brought him back home to Salinas where his final resting place would be.

Manuel was proceeded in death by his brother Alfred, who passed away in 2007. His father Yndalecio, who passed away in 1973 and his mother Carlota who passed away in 1997. May they rest in peace.

Manuel is survived by his son Harold Martin-Lopez; Sisters Frances Perez and Victoria Piedera; Brothers Monsignor Daniel Lopez and Joseph Lopez; also numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00am on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Alta Vista Mortuary, 41 East Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93901

Arrangements by Alta Vista Mortuary, 41 East Alisal Street; (831)424-9700 Online condolences: www.altavistamortuary.com