Harold H. Martinez Tribute

The Martinez Family would like to extend their deepest and most heartfelt thanks for your love and support during their most difficult time.

Click on the following link to read a special memorial dedicated to Harold from the LBA:   http://www.lbausa.com/eblasts/LBA-eN76-011209.html

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO READ A MESSAGE FROM

RUBEN JAUREGUI  1/14/09: 

http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dhh7rz45_22g6zzfbdp&pageview=1&hgd=1&hl=en

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO READ A MESSAGE FROM BUDDY AND KAY 1/10/09:

http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dhh7rz45_24gshxm6dg&pageview=1&hgd=1&hl=en

Any condolences for Gloria and the rest of the family can be sent to:

As we all know, Harold achieved much in his 70 years on this earth.  After going down his list of accomplishments, you will agree that he somehow managed to squeeze 3 lifetimes into one. 

He always felt that his greatest accomplishment of all was his family...

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born 1938- Tucumcari, NewMexico

Graduated from Lincoln Adult Night School, 1959

Married to Gloria Martinez, (5) Children, (14) Grandchildren

(6) Great-Grandchildren

Resided in Hacienda Heights, California

FAMILY, FAITH AND HOMELIFE:

Harold's outside interests included spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sports and school activities.  His outdoor activities included, swimming, camping and traveling. Another way he relaxed was by going to the movies with his children. Despite his busy schedule, he always had the time for a "fast" card game with his children and grandchildren while at home. Most of all, he enjoyed catching up on the current events of the world. "60 Minutes" was his favorite.

Gloria was the love of Harold's life.  She is the great woman behind the great man and the inspiration behind all he accomplished. Harold was a romantic and relished in proving his love and devotion to his beautiful wife, Gloria.  At their 50th anniversary celebration, he stood before her and all of their guests and serenaded his wife with a beautiful love song.  Even after more than 53 years of marriage, he would still sneak away, have a picture taken of himself and sign, at the bottom right corner,  "To Gloria, My one true love, Harold". He would then leave the picture for Gloria as a gift.  Gloria was Harold's everything and this kind of love transcends even death.  His love, Gloria, was at his side when he passed on.  Harold is survived by his devoted wife, Gloria.

Harold had a beautiful relationship with each of his children. Although, each shared their own special bond with their father, they each owned an equal part of his heart. Later in life, his children became his motivation, support system, confidants,  and strength. Harold left this world with each of them at his side.

Harold is survived by his children:  Harold J. Martinez (his genius and scholar), Debbie Viramontes (his trusted advisor), Rosemarie Saldivar (his special angel), Gilbert Martinez (his confidant and strength) and last but never least, his "mijita de mi corazon", Connie Gallego

Harold's grandchildren were his world.  They kept him young and vibrant.  He loved them all dearly and loved to attend their sporting events, graduations, birthdays, weddings - you name it, he was there with a smile.  He was very proud of their accomplishments and was always there for them when they stumbled.  He is their hero. They are his legacy.

Harold is survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren:

Robert Saldivar, Noelle Sukow, Christina Viramontes, Sean Viramontes, Nicholas Saldivar, Andrew Saldivar, Courtney Saldivar, Harold Martinez III, Joey Martinez, Ashley Viramontes, Bianca Martinez, Christina Gallego, Andreas Martinez, Christian Martinez, Dylan Saldivar, Brent Saldivar, Anthony Saldivar, Nydia Saldivar, Maryjane Martinez and Madison Sukow.

He is also survived by his 4 siblings, Edmundo Martinez, Frank & Josie Prieto, Nora Bello, Donilia Nunez and sister-in-law Martha Martinez. All of Harold's surviving siblings were at his side when he passed.

Harold and his wife Gloria, spent many hours volunteering and participating in their church functions and fund-raisers. He attended mass every Sunday and always took his family for Sunday breakfast.  He was a devout Catholic who enjoyed retreats and pilgrimages. Harold was an active member of the Kights of Columbus - third and fourth degree.  He also served as Honor Guard  to the late Cardinal MacIntyre when he laid in state at St. Vibiana's - Los Angeles. Harold was a dedicated parishioner to both St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Rowland Heights) and Resurrection Church (Los Angeles).

Harold has met many important people from all over the world and has many important friends.  He would always find time to entertain out-of-town guests as well as hosting international visitors.  But what made Harold, "Harold", was that he made everyone feel important.  He made you believe that you mattered and would inspire you to believe in yourself.  Harold was many things to many people.  He was a motivator, an inspiration, a trailblazer...but most of all, a great friend.

ABLE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.

July 1974 to 2009-  Founder and CEO

Able Industrial Products, Inc., Ontario, Ca

The story of Able began in 1974 with the dream of a humble man that possessed an unbridled entrepreneurial spirit.  Harold was not afraid of hard work and knew that he possessed the drive to be successful. He had always dreamed of one day running his own business.  After much adversity at The A.B. Boyed Co., with whom Harold had been employed for over 22 years, Harold lost his job.  He and his beautiful wife, Gloria, had five children to care for and knew NOW was the time to make his dream a reality, if not out of ambition, then out of need.  

Gilbert Martinez, President of Able Industrial Products, Inc.(Harold and Gloria's youngest son), remembers this well. "My father started his own company out of necessity.  He was married with 5 children, just purchased a home in Hacienda Heights and had just lost his job at A.B. Boyd after 22 years of service.  After long discussions with my mother and consulting with many of his colleagues, he decided to venture out on his own.  He started his business with no more than $10,000 (some of which was borrowed from family).  My  father was eternally grateful for this opportunity both to his immediate family for their sacrifices and the family that financially assisted him.  My father was an entrepreneur at heart and knew that if he was a success with A.B. Boyd, he could be even more successful on his own.

In July of 1974, my father opened for business in a small building the size of a garage on Rosemead Blvd. in South El Monte.  It wasn’t long before Able began to grow at a very rapid pace and my father then had to re-locate to a larger facility.  He leased his second building with much regret.  My father had always dreamed of owning his very own building.  He then moved into the Penn Marr facility, still in South El Monte.  He was at this facility until 1982.  My dad began to see his dream realized when in 1981, he began the design and construction of his own facility, with the help of his dear friend and brother-in-law, Frank Prieto.

Able’s new home was on Lee Ave. in South El Monte and it remained here for the next 15 years.  My father loved this building because he built it from the ground – up.  Although, Able had long outgrown it’s 5,000 sq. ft. capacity, my father decided to remain here.  My dad always said that Able-Lee Ave. was 5,000 sq. ft., but in fact, was only 3,800 sq. ft.  In my Father’s heart, it was largest, grandest facility in the world.  It was his baby.  To this day, the building is still owned by the Martinez’s with specific instructions that the building never be sold."

Gloria worked as Able's Controller, Debbie and Connie worked as Office Administrators (now Office Manager and Human Resource Manager) and Gil worked as Harold's trusted Vice President (now President). The Lee Avenue facility remained Able's home for over 15 years.  It was a 3,800 sq. ft. facility and Harold was extremely proud of it.  In 1997 Harold purchased a 32,500 sq. ft. facility in Ontario.  Harold J.  joined the Able team during this time for several years, working as a Quality Control Manager, before continuing with his successful career in Aerospace.  Rosemarie has been an Able consultant while continuing with her successful career in the Medical Industry. 

Gilbert remembers a significant transition: "Business at Able-Lee Avenue continued to grow steadily and my parents made sure they were conservative with any profits made.

In 1996, my father realized Able was busting at the seams and that it would need to find a new home.  We even had to open a second satellite office to accommodate all the customers we had acquired in the Inland Empire.

It took approximately 8 months for my dad to find Able-Ontario.  My father purchased Able-Ontario in March of 1997.  We moved both Able-Lee Ave. and the Satellite office under one roof in November of that year.  It took us 7 months to complete the renovation of the building.  You can’t imagine how proud my father was to own this building.  Able-Ontario is a testament of my father and mother’s hard work and dedication. It is a symbol of their struggle and sacrifice.  Making the transition from a 5,000 sq. ft. (my father’s measurements) building to a 32,500 sq. ft. building was intimidating to both my parents.  Being the entrepreneur that he was, he took the risk."

In 2005 Harold took Able international with the opening of Able-Mexico (a mequiladora). 

In 2008, Harold opened his first stand-alone Mexican Company, AIPCO de Mexico.

In August of 2008, Harold was given an Award of Special Congressional Recognition for for owning one of the regions Top 40 Latino Owned Companies. 

Also, in 2008, Harold began the process of opening a tape printing company to be realized by his son, Gilbert, in 2009.

Harold took pride in both his company and his employees.  He considered Able his second home and he treated his employees as family. 

ABLE Industrial Products, Inc. has been servicing companies locally, nationally, and internationally since 1974.

Able Industrial Products specializes in the custom manufacturing of gaskets, rotary die cutting and fabrication of various types of materials such as foam, sponge, cork, felt, plastic and rubber products.

As a value added service, Able is a distributor of  tapes, adhesives, abrasives, safety products and silicone caulk as well as mold making.

3M, Saint-Gobain, GE/Momentive and Loctite are just some of the quality manufactures Able represents.

Able has a 10,000, climate controlled clean room which meets the strict Federal Standard 209E cleanliness requirements of the Automotive, Computer, Medical, and Aerospace Industries.

Able is a certified ISO 9000:2001 manufacturing and distribution facility with sales in 2008 closing well over 7.5 million.

July 1974 to Present Able Industrial Products, Inc., Ontario, Ca

Founder, President and CEO

1953 to 1974 A.B. Boyd Company, Los Angeles, California 

Industrial Division SalesManager, Responsible for Outside Sales, Manufacturing Facilities, Personnel, Customer Service. Started with A. B. Boyd as an after school janitor.

LBA

Harold's involvement with the Latin Business Association dates back to the establishment of the organization in 1976. Although he was not a founder, he had been the oldest most active committed member of the LBA to this day.  

In 1979, he was first elected to the LBA as 2nd Vice president. That year, under LBA President JoseCallero he chaired a Ad-Hoc committee to have the Latin Business Association change to include women entrereneurs.  Today, the LBA is known as the Latin Business Association.

In 1980/1985 respectively, Harold chaired the LBA Awards Banquet Committee. In 1983, he served as a Voting Executive Assistant to the LBA President and the Board of Directors. That same year, he assisted LBA President, Ray Rodriguez, to form the very first luncheon with President Ronald Regan.

 In 1984, Harold had the honor of being elected the LBA President. The following list were the accomplishments of his 1985 presidency:

I. The first Trade Mission to the People's Republic of China, Province of Jilin, was taken. Subsequently thereafter, the LBA/lTC (Internationnl Trade Committee) was formed.

2. The creation of the LBA Newsletter was founded.

3. The 1985 Membership Directory was published anddistributed.

4. The LBA's very first exhibit wasbuilt.

5. He put the LBA into the 'black' financially taking them from a deficit for    the very first time in its history.

6. He initiated the very first LBA Executive Director on Loan from Crocker Bank.

7. The Latin Business Foundation was founded.

As the founder of the Latin Business Foundation, he waselected to Chair from April 1985 through December 1987.

 In 1990 & 1991 respectively, Harold was elected to a Second and Third Tenn to serve as President of the LBA.

Harold Martinez was a successful entrepreneur who owned and operated his own company with his wife Gloria, and his children, Debbie, Gilbert and Connie.   Now in it's 35th year. Able Industrial Products now based in Ontario, California. The company is a gasket cutter, converter, metal stamping, and fabricator of nonmetallic material, as well as a Distributor for The 3M Company, GE/Momentive Silicones, Saint-Gobain, and Loctite. These products are for the Domestic and International Industries.

They currently employ 30 employees and is proud that Able  offers his staff medical benefits as well as a 401K Pension Plan.

The MARTINEZ Family was named "The California Hispanic Family of the Year in 1988".

In 1994, The Hispanic Leadership and Advocacy Council of United Way established an award in honor of

Harold H. Martinez's Community Service Record. Appointed in 1994 by the Minority Caucus for the White House Conference on Small Business in Washington D.C. as the Southern California Chairperson. The Latin Business Association had appointed Harold as their Chairto the White House Conference on SmallBusiness for 1995.

AWARD AND HONORS

LBATwenty-five Year Sterling Member/Corporation Award, 2001

On July 1993, San Gabriel Valley Council of the Boy'S Scouts Presented Mr. Martinez with the "Distinguished Citizen ofthe YearAward" Southern California.

Finishers &Fabricators Association, "Environmental Leadership Award", February 1993

Latin American Management Association, LAMA, "California Hispanic Business Advocacy

Award", 1991

Mexican and American Foundation, "Areo Civic Leadership Award", 1991

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, "Hispanic Role Model Award", 1991

Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine and Merrill Lynch, "The Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year Award", 1991

California State University, Los Angeles Hispanic Business Society, "Recognized for contributions made to furthering the study of business by Hispanic Students", 1991

U.S. Small Business Administration, "Recognized for support of the Los Angeles Minority Business Community", 1990

Business Development centerof Southern California, "Recognized for the contributions made to the development of Minority Businesses", 1990

KTLA Television News Program "Making It". This TV News program honors women and minority business enterprises for their contributions towards the economy and their community.

"The Community Service Award", 1990

Olvera Street Merchants Association honored him as a Business Leadership and Recognition. "The Los Angeles Angeleno Award", 1990

Twice Recognized by California State Senate Rules Committee Resolution given by Chairmen of the Senate, SenatorDavid Roberti, FamilyResolution #2864, 08/08/88 and another adopted 11/01190, Resolution #3152

University of Southern California - Latino Business Students Association, "Outstanding Support and Dedication to their Organization", 1987 and 1990

Japan External Trade Organization. JETRO California, "Business Study Series", 1988 and 1989

The 3M Company, "Outstanding support of The 3M Company sponsorship of the 1988 Olympics", 1988

East Los Angeles Occupational Center, "Recognition", 1988

California Hispanic Family of the Year, "Family of the Year", 1988

Latin Business Association - LBA, "Outstanding Member of the Decade Award", 1986

California Legislature Assembly, "Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Latino Community", 1986

Hispanic Business Magazine, "Recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the

United States", 1985

Latin Business Association - LBA, "President Leadership Award", 1985

SanGabriel Valley Human Relations Committee, "Hispanic Leadership Award for Business", 1984

CIVIC ACTIVITIES

Environmental Compliance Support Association of California - ECOSA, 1993-1994

Small Business Coalition on the Environment, 1992-1994

Treasurer for the Japan Hispanic Institute, Washington D.C., 1991·94

Board Member, Lincoln Training Center, 1992-94

California Hispanic Publishers Association, State Advocate tor Corporate and Government Affairs, 1992-94

Southern California Gas Company, Multi-Cultural Community Issue Panel, 1991-1994

So California Gas (WMDVBE) GAS Advisory Panel, 1993

Los Angeles Police Department a member of the Civil Service review panel interviewing 29 captains for the L.A. Police Commanders positions for 1993

"World Environment Center" Representative tor Small Business for the Megacities on the Pacific

Rim and Burden of Air Pollution Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia 1993

LosAngeles Police Department Hispanic Community FOM,lm, for Chief Willie L. Williams, 1992·1993

Board Member, Latin Business Association, 1992-93

Latin Business Association, President 1985,1990, and 1991

Member of Governor Pete Wilson's Hispanic Advisory Council, 1990-1991

Member of the Coalition of Hispanics for Fast Track North American Free Trade Agreement, 1990-91

California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Department of Civil Rights Taskforce on employment parity, 1989·90

California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Department of Civil Rights Advisory Council on Contracting Policies, 1989-91

Latin Business Foundation, Founder andpast Chairman 1985·1987

Delegate White House Conference on Small Businesses, 1986-1985,

Headed the first Latin Business Association Trade Mission to the Peoples Republic of China,

Jilin Province in 1985

(Co-Sponsor) Hispanic Congressional Caucus, Congressional Delegation to Japan andTaiwan in 1987 -

Member of theAQMD Ethnic Communities Advisory Group, 1998 - Present

Chairperson to the Mexican American Opportunity Properties Foundation, 1998 - Present

Founding President of the "for profit" LaNueva Luna MeatMarket, an enterprise of a nonprofit coalition called, "Mothers of East Los Angeles", 1999 - 2008

California Small Business Association, 1996 • 2008

California Small Business Roundtable, 1997· 2008

California Small Business Education Foundation, Founding Member, 1998 - 2008

LosAngeles County Sheriff, member of Community Support Reserve Company #228, 1999

2008 Certified "Green Partner" with Sony

August 1st, 2008   Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for owning one of the Regions Top 40 Latino Owned Companies.

Obituary:

MARTINEZ, Harold H., beloved father of five, grandpa of 14 and great-grandpa of 6, passed away on January 8, 2009 at the age of 70. Harold was the loving husband to Gloria Martinez his one and only sweetheart for 54 years. He is also survived by 4 siblings, Edmundo Martinez, Frank & Josie Prieto, Nora Bello, Donilia Nunez and sister-in-law Martha Martinez. Harold was born in 1938 in Tucumcari, New Mexico to the late Gilberto and Teodorita Martinez until his family relocated to Los Angeles in 1942.. He was an entrepreneur to Able Industrial Products, Inc. and has stood as the president, founder and CEO for the last 34 years. He has resided in Hacienda Heights for the past thirty years where he has enjoyed playing cards, Mexican dominoes, list ening to his oldies and spending time with his family and friends. Harold has served three terms as President of the Latin Business Association in addition to being a Founder to the Latin Business Foundation. He also contributed as a member on the advisory boards for the California Small Business Association, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation and the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) during his lifetime.. Harold H. Martinez was a man of God and dedicated parishioner to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Resurrection Church. He will forever be remembered as a man of honor who loved his family, friends, and business associates. To learn more about Harold H. Martinez and his life, please go to www.respectance.com/Harold_H_Martinez. A rosary will be held on Monday, January 12th at 7pm at Resurrection Church in Los Angeles. A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, January 13th at 10am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Rowland Heights, California. Harold will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, in Los Angeles.