Martin Gonzalez Solano died in Stanislaus County as the result of a automobile accident. He was 86.
Mr. Solano was born in El Rio, and moved to San Benito County where he lived until 1950. In 1990 he moved to Tracy where he lived until his death.
Mr. Solano had been a truck driver for 35 years and also was in the Army during World War II where he served in the Battle of the Bulge, was wounded and hospitalized until after the end of the war. He received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.
He was a member of the St. John Vianney Catholic Church in San Jose, which he helped to build; 84th Infantry Division (Rail Splitters); and a member of the Teamsters Union in San Jose.
He was the husband of Georgina Muir Solano of Tracy; father of Jim Solano and wife B.J. of Douglasville, Ga.; Richard Solano and wife Vickie of San Jose; Phyllis Silva and husband David of San Jose; the late Barbara Peterson; grandfather of Jennifer Morton, Martin, William, Kristen and Alyssa Solano, Anthony and Janelle Silva; and two great-grandchildren.
He was one of 11 children born to the late Apolinar and Felisa Solano; brother of Frances Nava, Lupe Angulo, Marcelina Munoz, all of Hollister, Pauline Espinoza of Manteca and the late Porfiria Macias, Alejo Solano, John G. Solano, Frank Solano, Serafina, Anastacia and Tony Solano.
Friends may visit Sunday from 10am to 8pm at the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
A rosary will be recited Sunday at 7pm in the chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30am Monday at the funeral home then proceeding to Sacred Heart Catholic Church for a funeral Mass commencing at 10am.
Graveside services and burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Hollister.
Contributions are preferred to a charity of choice.
