Tony Sanchez

Tony T. Sanchez, Age 86, passed away surrounded by his loving family at his home in Guachupangue, NM (Espanola) on Thursday morning August 18, 2016. Tony was born on September 14, 1929 in Rio Lucio, NM (Penasco) to Felix and Simonita Sanchez.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Simonita Sanchez of Rio Lucio, NM, his sons Walter Sanchez and Leon Sanchez, grandson Jacob Sanchez, brothers George (Trinidad) Sanchez, John (Viola) Sanchez, and sister Minnie (Lee) Barela. Tony is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Margaret Sanchez of Guachupangue, NM; sons, Marvin and wife Socorro Sanchez of Rio Chama, NM; Leonard and wife Lupita Sanchez of Chimayo, NM; Danny and wife Julie Anne Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; and, daughter-in-law Janet Sanchez (Leon) of Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren Marcos, Victoria, Jonathan, and Kendrick Sanchez; great-grandchildren Marcos Jr., Neveah, Jasiah Sanchez, and Mariah Valdez; dear sister Rosalind and husband Clyde Martinez of La Villita, NM; several beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces, and various other relatives and friends.
Tony served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received various decorations and was honorably discharged from service in 1953. Following military service, he worked for 30 years and retired in 1983 from the New Mexico State Highway Department, Civil Engineering Bureau as the New Mexico Chief Field Topographer (mapper). During his career, Margaret and Tony lived and worked in various New Mexico communities and logged over 2 million miles of topographical field mapping, enabling the successful development of New Mexico’s field and aerial state issued maps. Following his retirement in public service, Margaret and Tony owned and operated a small business in Espanola, NM for several years until full retirement. He was a faithful member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Espanola where he loved to serve his faith community in various liturgical ministries, councils and committees. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 15854 of Espanola. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and the Espanola Veterans Memorial Wall Commission. Tony was actively involved in various community service endeavors, including serving as a volunteer service driver for fifteen years in the New Mexico VA Health Care system and was instrumental in securing transportation services, fleet of vans and recruitment of volunteers to provide transportation services for northern New Mexico veterans.
A Vigil Service (Wake) and Rosary will be prayed on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 6PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Espanola, NM. The Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday afternoon at 1PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Espanola, NM, followed by burial with Military Honors at 3PM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Immediately after the burial, everyone is invited to a reception at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Hall, 908 West Calle Rosario, Espanola, NM.
Serving the family as pallbearers include: Kendrick Sanchez, Marcos Sanchez, Bonifacio Sanchez, Urban Martinez, Wilbur Martinez, Andrew Martinez, and Joseph Blea. Honorary pallbearers include: Jonathon Sanchez, Danny Otero, Victoria Sanchez, Clyde Martinez, Patrick Montoya, Marcos Sanchez Jr., Neveah Sanchez, Jasiah Sanchez, and Mariah Valdez.