Martin Pablo Valdivia

Martin Pablo Valdivia was born on the 27th day of December in 1948, to his parents, Pablo and Placida Valdivia at Orange County Hospital, now known as UCI Medical Center, in, at the time, the small city of Orange, California.  He became the fourth child of the Valdivia Family.  He was welcomed home by his brother, Bernardo and two sisters Antonia and Guadelupe.  Years later his brother, Ric joined the family.  
As a young boy he attended Holy Famliy School.  A few years later, Martin transferred to Cambridge Street School.  He studied at Orange Junior High and graduated from Orange High School.  
Under the apprenticeship of a gradener and landscaper, Martin learned the gardeening business and became an entrepreneur forming his own gardening company.
Despite being legally blind and having a prosthetic leg, during the month of December, he enjoyed donning his red Bermuda shorts, white T-shirt, white socks, and black shoes and Santa hat. Martin had a natural well-kept beard like Santa Claus.  Daily, Martin merrily would parade around the Plaza giving joy to children with grinning smiles.  Martin liked to make children happy!  Chapman University students with grins on their faces, would turn their heads to take a glimpse of Santa Claus walking by their campus.  
Being born on the feast dady of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, Martin followed Saint John’s example and loved everyone.  He had his bed facing a wall of pictures of the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Mother, Saint Martin de Porres, and others.  Martin had an affinity for cats throughout his life.  Upon viewing the Saint Martin de Porres picture you will see that near the saint’s feet are kittens.  Following Saint Martin de Porres’ example, Martin would taxi the poor needing transportation.  
Everyone who came in contact with Martin, will miss his kindness, smile, humor, and love.
 

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