Anthony Sanchez Obituary

Anthony Sanchez, a resident of Security since 1963, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was retired after serving his country for more than 20 years in the United States Air Force and 25 years in Civil Service at Fort Carson. Anthony was born on October 6, 1920 in Tucson, Arizona to the late Antonio and Guadalupe (Mirano) Sanchez. He graduated in 1939 from Tucson High School where he excelled in the game of baseball. He was a talented player and brought his team to the Arizona High School State Championship. He then went on to play semi-pro baseball in Tucson. He married the love of his life, Adeline Lovato on May 28, 1944 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colorado Springs. His beloved Adeline passed away in March 1999. They are now together forever. Anthony joined the United States Air Force in 1942. He became a flight engineer who flew twenty-five missions during World War II in a B24 heavy bomber named the “Rum Runner.� He later went on to train on the B29 bomber. One of his many achievements, while in the Air Force, was as an instructor teaching radio communications at the USAF Latin American School in the Panama Canal Zone. He never lost his interest in aircraft, which led him to be a volunteer at the Peterson Air Force Base Air Museum, sharing his many stories with visitors to the museum. Mr. Sanchez was a member of St. Dominic’s Parish in Security, a former member of the Knights of Columbus, a supporter of the Air Force Association and the VFW, and was an avid Air Force Falcon fan, as well as a Denver Bronco football fan. He also loved Colorado Rockies baseball. He loved the ocean, the mountains and lakes, as well as sightseeing adventures. Yet these facts are only a small part of his story. The larger part is his love for God and his family, and the way he always sincerely befriended everyone with whom he came in contact. God was the center of his life and his actions, and he showed it to all who knew him. To his family, he was the loving and indispensable husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, patiently listening, actively caring, always loving. To strangers, he was the kind and hospitable “inn-keeper,� asking them about themselves, sharing stories, and showing that he cared. No words can do adequate tribute to him, nor can they come close to describing how much he is loved, or how much he will be missed! Our hope is in the sure truth that we will see him again. He is survived by his loving children: Barbara (husband, Chuck) Matzker, Rick Sanchez; Chris (wife, Diana) Sanchez and Teresa Sanchez; all of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his brother: Rueben “Benny� (wife, Teresa) Sanchez of Daytona Beach, Florida and his sisters: Margaret Clark and Irene Alcarez of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by his grandchildren: David, Barbara, Jeff, Chuck Jeremy, Max, Gina and Isaac; and seventeen great-grandchildren who affectionately called him “Grandpa-pa.� A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2009 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful� Chapel. A rosary will follow at 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 331 Main Street, Security, Colorado 80911. Graveside services with Air Force honors will follow at 11:30 am at Evergreen Cemetery. A luncheon reception will then take place back at St. Dominic’s Parish Hall. Memorials may be made to the St. Dominic’s Building Fund, 331 Main Street, Security, CO 80911. Blessed be his memory.