Joseph Arthur Sanchez Sr.

Joseph A. Sanchez, Sr., age, 87 died on Sunday, February 19, 2017.  Joe was a father, a brother, an uncle, a husband, a grandfather, a great grandfather and he was also a teacher - although he never taught school.  He taught his children through his example how to love, how to pray, to be generous and kind and how to take care of each other.  Joe was a man of deep faith and a man of his word.  He was quiet, thoughtful and had great respect for all differences.

He was born on February 1, 1930 to Beatrice and Sotero Sanchez in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, where he was raised and went to school.  On a trip to Chicago with his friend James Quinn he met and fell in love with Alice Quinn who became his wife.  Together they raised six children:  Joseph Jr. of Salt Lake City; James (Debbie) of Albuquerque; Jeannette (Steve Smith) of Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada; Joyce (James Bentley) of Colorado Springs; Julianne (Tom Stroup) of Elephant Butte and Jeffery (Kathy) of Portland, Oregon. Joe was very proud of each of his children and felt they could do no wrong. Even when they disappointed him he loved them with all his heart and soul until his last breath. Joe had a long and interesting career with Plains Electric Co-op working in Algodones, New Mexico until retirement. After that Joe enjoyed traveling with Alice and both were fortunate to have visited many countries, states and provinces. He became a backyard gardener and was especially proud of his roses and big tomatoes. He passed on his deep faith and values to his grandchildren and great grandchildren who along with his children will carry on his values, his love of life and his decency to others.

Joe is survived by his children as mentioned above and his grandchildren and great grandchildren:  Amanda (Frank) Alderete, Amelia and Lucas of Albuquerque; Andrea (John Spina) Gianna and Vincent of Chicago; Jake (Breanna) Smith and Ophelia of Calgary, Alberta; Sam (Abby) Smith and Charley of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta; Ian Smith of Calgary, Alberta, and Allison (Mike Lowe) of Fort Langley, British Columbia; James and David Bentley of Colorado Springs; Lindsay (Eric Norman) of Norfolk,  Virginia; Arthur Miller of Canon City, Colorado.  He is also survived by his siblings:  Ernestine Chavez, Janet Dominguez, June (Larry) Ziegenfuss, Juliette Dempsey, Herman Sanchez and Eugene (Dorothy) Sanchez and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

On November 17, 2008 Joe was preceded in death by his wife, best friend and the love of his life, Alice; by his granddaughter, Jessica, his parents Sotero Moises and Beatrice; siblings: Sotero, Ernest, Albert, Canuto, and Orlando; brothers-in-law Bonifacio Chavez, Raymond Dominguez and John Dempsey;  sisters-in-law:  Mary Ortega and Agnes Sanchez.  Joe was a long time member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and a founding member of the Community of Prayer. The Community of Prayer became his family of close friends.  He missed the daily prayer with this group once Rev. Paul Baca died and the group disbanded. The family thanks the wonderful caregivers at Casa Subina for all they did for Joe including Ian B., Angela M., Angela W., Beverlee S., Yolanda R., Jodessa R., Anita D’A... Also On Pointe caregivers Liz M., Maria and Rosio.

A rosary and communion service will be held in Joe’s memory at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1860 Griegos Rd NW, Albuquerque on Friday, February 24, 2017, at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at the Moose Lodge, 2121 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 from 12:30 PM- 2:30 PM..

At Joe’s request there will only be family flowers and rather than public flowers or donations please consider an act of kindness in Joe’s name.