Jose Jaime Sanz

1939 - 2016

BORN

1939

DIED

2016

Jose Sanz Obituary

SANZ, JIMMY Jose Jaime (Jimmy) Sanz died at his home in Cutler Bay on May 10, 2016 after a long and gallant battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents Jaime and Caroline Wilson Sanz and his siblings, Caroline and Michael. Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife Patti, daughter Crystal Sanz Hinton (Robert), stepson Bryan Bouchard (Angie) and two beautiful granddaughters, Jaime Amelia Hinton and Lily Patricia Bouchard. He also leaves his sister Marylou and brothers Richard (Judi) and Joseph (Joan) as well as several nieces and nephews: David, Sean, Tara, Olivia, Kevin and Christopher and many, many wonderful friends. Jimmy was born on January 21, 1939 in Miami to a Conch dad and North Carolina mom and was a proud Miamian. He attended Miami High and then enlisted in the Air Force. After his honorable discharge, Jimmy started his long term career as a skilled carpenter and a man of all trades. His incredible hand-eye coordination was invaluable not only in his career, but in his hobbies of pool and yo-yo acrobatics. Jimmy was a national yo-yo champion and was featured in several television shows including Captain Kangaroo. His prowess in pool was so well known that Jackie Gleason invited him to play at his Miami Beach house - where Jimmy beat him soundly. What Jimmy will be most remembered for was his integrity, kindness, humility and sense of humor. He had the gift of making and keeping friends for life. Jimmy epitomized the 'shirt off his back' attitude and would do anything he could for people. He had a deep and abiding love for his family, his friends and his country and a profound zest for life. Jimmy was happiest when surrounded by friends and family, partying at his house or Stiltsville or fishing on his boat. He and Patti had wonderful trips cross country in their camper. A month before he passed away, they drove up to central Florida for a reunion with friends, which was a trip they did annually for many years. Jimmy will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The celebration of life will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made at two of Jimmy's favorite charities: The Wounded Warrior Project (1-904-296-7350) and St. Jude's Research Hospital for Children (1-800-822-6344).

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Published by the Miami Herald on May 12, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Jose Sanz

Sponsored by Crystal Sanz.

9 Entries

Matt Reynolds

May 6, 2024

Still think about Jimmy every day and speak about him every other day.

I miss Jimmy "oh dear"(ly)! lol

Joy Cox

August 27, 2017

Hi Crystal,
I am so sad.your dad was my good friend a long time ago. In fact we went to the roller rink once!
Pls. Send my regards and deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,joy nusser.

Ron Snyder

May 22, 2016

My Deepest Sympathy to the Sanz Family...
Jimmy and I enlisted on the same day and did Basic and Tech School together...Had great times on leave too... RIP..dear friend...

Lisa Gallucci

May 18, 2016

Patti, I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Angelica Bouchard

May 18, 2016

Jimmy thank you for accepting me whole hearted into your family and taking me under your wing. You and Patti welcomed me right into your home and hearts and made me feel like I had been there all along. Our hearts are broken without you and it does not feel real that you are gone. You are our hero and a legend. Anytime that I was in trouble I always knew I could call you and you would save the day. I witnessed you going to help people all the time, whether it was something as simple as a small house repair or someone broken down to a huge effort of helping friends and family after hurricanes. I thank you for the countless times you made me laughed and stunned me with the random things you would do and say. Thank you for being a father figure to me and an amazing grandfather to Lily. Our lives and our family will never be the same without your amazing presence but we will try our best to make you proud. We miss and love you dearly.

Debby Conley

May 18, 2016

I am so sorry for the hole left in the hearts of Jimmy's family members. Jimmy was an incredible man and I am lucky to have known him for many years as a friend, and later as a brother-in-law. His smile was contagious, as was his gregarious personality! I was always amazed at his incredible skills at the pool table, but his yo-yo tricks held a special fascination for me. Whenever I would find what I thought was a special yo-yo, I would get it for him hoping for a demonstration, and he was always glad to oblige, such a joyful show-off! He loved to work and helped many people in his lifetime. He would not back away from a challenge either - when things got tough - Jimmy got going! In fact - he was always going! From boating, touring in their motor home, to hosting awesome BBQ's, he was a man on the go! I will really miss him. I will still buy those yo-yo's and give them to a nearby youngster - from Jimmy.

Georgette Wright

May 16, 2016

Jimmy was a wonderful man and a true gift to those who were lucky enough to know him. I will miss him terribly. To his family, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Laureen (Clay) Wheeler

May 12, 2016

I had the pleasure of knowing Jimmy when he would frequent my parents' place of business, Midway Lounge, back in the 1970's and 80's. Jimmy will always have a special place in my heart as he always made me laugh and was constantly entertaining those around him. I never tired of watching him effortlessly make his way through a game of pool or marvel at his ability to perform magic tricks or make a Yo Yo "dance." His distinctive voice will always resonate in my mind as will his gift of gab. My parents, Don and Fola Clay also cherished their friendship with him as he was always there to lend a helping hand whenever they needed one. The world seems like an emptier place without you Jimmy. You will be missed and thought of often. Looks like Heaven just became a livelier place!

Matt Reynolds

May 12, 2016

It is nearly impossible to wake up each day now knowing that I can't pick up the phone and contact Jimmy. I saved his voice mails so I can hear his voice whenever I want. Every time I see a mango, avacado, stag horn, Royal poinciana, the Bismarkia palms he gave me, I think if Jimmy. Every time I see the houses we own I remember Jimmy and I working on them sweating after pulled up in his white van with an American Flag on the side. He was the best friend anyone could ever ask for.
He was the only person in life that I would hope was standing on the shore with a line if I was drowning. I trusted him with my life and the lives of our children. He was a stand in for me and helped raised our children. For years, we would get up at 7 am and go garage sailing trying to beat the "twins" to the best deals on fishing rods. too many great memories to name. but mostly as he was a brother, father, mentor, best friend, business colleague and right hand man. I admired him and now will always think "what would Jimmy do" when faced with a tough decision. I love and miss you, Jimmy!

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