Contributions to the tribute of John Taco Martinez

D

Friday, March 4, 2022

RIP Taco. He was a great guy, friend, and extra gang 5525 member.Taco was generous to a fault and always had a smile on his face. The pic is of extra gang 5525. Dan Hildahl was Gen. Forman.I don't remember all the nicknames but this pic includes Pops,Va. Dave, Fl.Dave(me), pops, uncle John, and of course Taco.

S

Sonja Mongar (Thornton) lit a candle

Friday, March 4, 2022

Though I haven't seen him in decades - I was so sad to hear of his passing. Taco was a welcome face in our home and lives when we all worked for the railroad together on the Milwaukee Road Extra Gang 5525 and partied hard back in the seventies. He was sweet and generous and always there to lend a hand. When we moved from our house in Malden - he literally picked up a whole stove by himself and carried it out of the house. His grandparents were kind too - they watched my young son once when I needed a babysitter. There was a kind of camaraderie and community that went with working for the railroad - it feels like yesterday and I miss it. The world is definitely a little less sweet without Taco in it.