ABE SANCHEZ

Our beloved Abe R. Sanchez, age 83, of Barstow, died in an automobile accident on October 10, 2011. Services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 505 East Mountain View, Barstow, on Monday, October 24, 2011 starting at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Viewing, Rosary, and Mass, followed by Military Honors and then a "reception" at Noonan Hall. Per his wishes, Abe will be buried at the Veteran's National Cemetery in Riverside the following day, however, per VA rules no visitors are allowed on site during the burial. Funeral arrangements by Mead Mortuary, Barstow. Abe was born Abelicio Rafael Sanchez Jr., in Belen, New Mexico on Feb. 21, 1928 to Abelicio and Mary Sanchez. The family moved to Barstow in 1940. He wrote for the school sports department, played trombone, and was a multi-sport athlete, playing Varsity Football (All-League Offense and Defense) and was runner-up State Champion Wrestler. He was a 1946 graduate of Barstow Union High School Riffians. Abe later attended Chaffey College, majoring in journalism. He proudly served in the U.S. Army 1951-1954 and deployed overseas during the Korean War, earning a Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, and Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant. Service and sacrifice were a way of life for Mr. Sanchez. He spent the majority of his life in the newspaper business, beginning first as a typesetter at age 12, then pressman and linotype operator for the Belen News. After moving to Barstow he got an after-school job working as a linotype operator. After graduation he became the back shop foreman, eventually becoming general manager and publisher of the Desert Dispatch in 1978. Under his leadership, the newspaper garnered a Pulitzer Prize for journalism. At his retirement event in 1988, the Barstow Mayor declared June 6 "Abe Sanchez Day" in recognition of his many contributions to the community of Barstow. Abe met the love of his life, Julia Evelyn Torres, at Chaffey College. They married on April 16, 1955. They were married for 56 years. They enjoyed square, swing, and ballroom dancing and were voted best jitterbug dancers at a recent event. He is survived by his wife, Julia; children Diane and Bryan Sanchez and their spouses, Mario Rivera and Cheryl Sanchez; granddaughter, Hanna Rivera; siblings Robert Saunders, Marion Sanchez, Sally Thomas, Julia Smith Campbell, Elidia Bezzeg, and Clara Krause; and numerous nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by a son, Robert Sanchez; sisters, Selcita and Prescilla Sanchez; and brother, David Sanchez. Abe was a warm, thoughtful, and generous person; always ready to help others. He enjoyed sports, camping, traveling Europe, singing, crossword puzzles, Vegas weekends, and was always friendly and joking with everyone. He was happiest when surrounded by his family. His loving smile, big heart, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him. An online tribute page for Abe is available to those who wish to share stories, pictures, or pay respects: please go to www.tributes.com.