Port Isabel, Texas: Martin "La Matona" Salinas, 77, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen. He was a lifetime resident of Port Isabel and a member of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Port Isabel. He was a former employee of Marine Mart for 15 years. He loved dancing and that's the way he left us. He is preceded in death by his parents: Melchor Sr. and Elvira Torres Salinas; grandson, Roberto Lee Cantu; son in law, Francisco Castellanos Jr.; two sisters: Luisa Cuellar and Manuela Vela; three brothers: Ricardo Salinas Sr., Juan Salinas and Epifanio Salinas. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Maria Guadalupe Salinas and his six children: Juan "Johnny" (Donaciana) Salinas of Port Isabel, Elvia (Carlos Eduardo) Rivera of Port Isabel, Tina (+Francisco) Castellanos of Laguna Vista, Elvira Salinas of Port Isabel, Benjamin "Ben" (Rosa) Salinas of Laguna Vista and Jose Angel "Joey" (Gloria) Salinas of Laguna Vista. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving him is one sister: Maria de Jesus De la Garza of Galvaston and one brother: Melchor (Margarita) Salinas Jr. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 from 12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Visitation continues Wednesday, March 30, 2011 from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the funeral home and will resume from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a Holy Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S. Longoria St. in Port Isabel. Mass of Resurrection will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Port Isabel. Interment will follow to Port Isabel City Cemetery. Words of comfort can be sent to the family of: Martin "La Matona" Salinas www.thomaegarza.com Serving as pallbearers will be Juan Salinas Jr., Francisco Castellanos III, Eddie Alan Salinas, Quirino Martinez III, Carlos Rivera, Johnny Salinas, Ben Salinas and Joey Salinas. Funeral arrangements entrusted to care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito. 399-1331