The Diocese of El Paso and the larger community are mourning the sudden loss of Judge Philip Martinez† on Friday, February 26. Judge Martinez was an active parishioner at Queen of Peace Parish and St. Patrick Cathedral, and helped bring the ACTS movement to our diocese. He played the organ for the 7am daily Mass at the Cathedral, including yesterday.

Philip Ray Martinez was born on July 13, 1957 and grew up in El Paso. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1979 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1982. He served as an attorney in private practice in El Paso from 1982 to 1990. On October 9, 2001, Martinez was nominated by President George W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. He was confirmed by the Senate in 2002. He served as an elected county and state district judge in El Paso from 1991 to 2002.

Judge Martinez was an avid golfer, a kind, caring and gentle man, and an active parishioner at Queen of Peace Parish where he played the organ for the 5:30pm Mass, and both he and his wife, Mayela, participated in the music ministry. He was instrumental in bringing the ACTS movement to El Paso along with Fr. Rick Matty† and was part of the very first retreat in 2002. He’s also credited with bringing the first ACTS Women’s Retreat to El Paso. For many years, he coordinated the Red Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral, a Mass celebrated annually in the Catholic Church for all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation, for the beginning of the judicial year.

Judge Martinez is survived by his wife, Mayela, two daughters and their spouses, a grandbaby he was overjoyed about, his parents, a loving family, and many friends. May he rest in eternal peace.