Obituary

Placido Martos
5/24/26 – 6/26/14

Placido was born in San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina, the middle child in a large family of two sisters and seven brothers born to parents who emigrated from Spain. Having lost his father at the age of nine, Placido treasured family and friends. The untimely death of his father was one of the factors that made a formal education unreachable, so Placido joined the Argentine Navy at the age of 17. At 19, he met the love of his life, Elidia, whom he married five years later and with whom he had five children.

But life in Argentina was not easy: the economic situation was dire and there was not much opportunity to provide a good future for their family. In 1965, with five children, two suitcases and an abundance of courage, Plácido and Lidia set off for the U.S. They settled in Philadelphia, a city he had visited years earlier while in the Navy, joining his brother Antonio who was already living there. From Philadelphia to New Jersey to La Mirada, to Big Bear, and finally San Clemente, Placido and Lidia lived different stages of their lives with their doors always open.

Family and friends surrounded Placido all of his life, and were both his inspiration and greatest motivation. Family camping trips, soccer games by the beach, weekend gatherings, many celebrations of birthdays, holidays, and weddings, and many graduations were at the center of a life well lived.

Placido was enthusiastic about learning: mechanics, mathematics, refrigeration, calculus, Spanish grammar.. Whatever he learned, he learned well, becoming a master at it and generously teaching others. He had a love of learning that will impact generations. Of his many interests and hobbies, gardening, barbecuing, and chess were passions he passed on. He was a champion chess player: Plácido would use a lathe to fashion chess trophies for local chess clubs, and end up winning the tournaments and bringing the trophies home.

The many stories we all remember have the same threads in common: a luminous generosity of spirit, a mischievous sense of humor, a contagious laughter that filled the room, kindness, intelligence, integrity, humility, wisdom and compassion .. He leaves behind such fullness of heart that we will have him with us forever.

He is survived by his wife, two brothers, five children, 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and a lifetime of good friends.

We resonate with Lidia’s last words to Plácido:

“Andate tranquilo viejito. Hemos tenido una buena vida juntos. Te quiero mucho”

Please join the Martos family for a meal and gathering for everyone to celebrate Placido’s life and legacy. It will be held at Armando and Ines Martos’ home. Everyone is invited immediately following the interment.