MAURICIO MARTINEZ

Mauricio Martinez gained his eternal rest on October 23, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Mauricio, "Wicho, El Barbero" was the owner and barber at "Saunders Barbershop- Your Barber with a Touch of Finesse" for over 43 years. Wicho started cutting his own hair at age 9. Before long, neighborhood kids would line up and wait for him to cut their hair, too. He attended Barber College in San Antonio, Texas and became a professional barber at age 26. Wicho set up his own barbershop with vintage 1930's porcelain barber chairs from the old Astoria Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Wicho was not only naturally talented at cutting hair, he was also wonderful at customer service. Telling stories and enjoying their company made his customers feel special. Even long after he closed his barbershop due to a spinal cord surgery and injury that left him dependent on a wheelchair, he had loyal customers who would say, "That's OK. I'll kneel on the floor so you can reach me. I just want you to cut my hair because no one else cuts it like you." Wicho also loved his customers and would say, "Every morning, I go to my barbershop where I see people, and I talk to friends. I just happen to cut their hair, too. I love what I do."

Wicho also loved dancing and could dance to anything- the Huapango, waltzes, polkas, cumbias, the tango, and rock and roll, especially to Elvis Presley. But most importantly, Wicho loved his family. He loved visiting his brother Oscar and sister-in-law Herminia in Waukegan, Illinois. They made it a point to visit each other as often as they could. Wicho loved being the center of attention at family gatherings or Sunday potluck dinners.

Wicho was also very proud of his wife, Luli or "Babydoll" as he called her. She was only 17-years old when he married her, and he promised he would send her to college and take care of her. He accomplished that promise. He also sent his two children to college and was very proud of their accomplishments, too. He would say, "Mija, you and Jr. are smart because you came out like your Mother!"

Wicho also experienced great joy when he became a grandfather to his four grandchildren. He showed true dedication when he was needed to pick up his grandsons Joel and Jake from head start while his daughter worked. Wicho always showed up with an apple or snack and Elvis Presley music playing in the truck. To this day, Joel and Jake cherish those memories and love Elvis Presley music.

Wicho was preceded in death by his father, Apolonio Martinez, mother Paz Martinez, and his beloved tia Rafaela Martinez, brother Alfonso Martinez, and brother Javier Martinez.

He is survived by his beloved wife, of 58 years, Maria de Lourdes Martinez, his son Mauricio Jr. (Ana Laura), his daughter, Melissa (Andres) Gonzalez, and four grandchildren- Ivan Mauricio and Cassandra Anne Martinez and Joel Joseph and Jacob Matthew Mendez. Wicho loved his grandchildren so much he made a special room for them. Ivan, Joel ,Cassandra and Jacob had a room with a DVD player, their favorite movies a microwave oven and a small fridge full of their juices and munchies. He loved having his grand kids spend the night at his home.

Also surviving him are other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a vigil of the deceased will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hernandez, Lopez and Sons, Northside Chapels, 800 Boston St. on San Bernardo ave. Funeral services will begin departing the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Committal services and interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

PALLBEARERS: Mauricio Martinez, Ivan M. Martinez, Joel  Mendez, Jacob Mendez, Andres Gonzalez, Rafael Martinez, Jeffery Connor and Louis Mercado.

HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Cassandra Martinez, Oscar Martinez and Mario Martinez.