Alfonso "Ponch" B. Martinez

Alfonso “Ponch” B. Martinez, 76, of Las Vegas, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, surrounded by family after bravely fighting cancer until he heard his Heavenly Father call him home.

Born on October 13, 1949, Ponch grew up with a quick wit that could light up any room and a heart always ready to help anyone in need. He was the life of the party, armed with funny stories, a big laugh, and an infectious grin that made everyone feel like family the moment they met him. Greeted at gatherings with the warm “Ponchito,” he was, above all, a devoted family man whose greatest joy came from the people he loved.

Ponch built a respected career in telecommunications, beginning by climbing poles for Mountain Bell, then mastering fiber optics installations for US West, and later bringing high-speed T-1 data lines to communities for Qwest. The work took him to remote sites and atop poles, yet he always returned home with hilarious tales of close calls, clever fixes, and the colorful characters he met along the way.

A true car enthusiast, Ponch was a familiar face at every dealership in the region. His masterpiece was a 1979 Dodge D-50 that he transformed into an extraordinary show truck, customized with care and proudly displayed at car shows across the Southwest. That truck stood as a rolling testament to his creativity, patience, and love for the craft. On the golf course as a proud member of “La Perrada,” he chased balls through the scrub brush with the same enthusiasm he brought to everything else. A passionate fan of Lobo football and basketball, he cheered just as loudly for his sons’ Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Dodgers, and he loved coaching his sons’ sports teams as they grew up.

Most of all, Ponch was inseparable from his beloved wife, Solie. Together they created a lifetime of memories—camping under starry skies, fishing in peaceful waters, traveling the Southwest and beyond, and cherishing every moment with their grandchildren. Those grandkids were his world; he spoiled them endlessly, laughed with them, and taught them the value of hard work, kindness, and a good joke. In some of his last words, he promised to be their guardian angel.

Ponch is survived by his devoted wife, Solie; his two sons, Alfonso Jr. “Alben” and his wife Rita, along with their children Benjamin, Olivia, Aiden, Anneliese, and Natalie; and Daniel “D” and his wife Shóna, along with their children Ólan and Órla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfonso “Poncho” and Mabel; and siblings Anita, Julie, Bonnie, and Joseph.

He leaves behind a legacy of generosity, quick humor, and unwavering family love. Ponch touched countless lives with his helping hand and open heart, and his stories will live on in the love and laughter he inspired.