Ruben "RJ" Sanchez

To our dear son, brother, nephew, grandchild and friends. We all miss you so very very much. My heart aches every day for you and so do others. I can´t believe that it´s going to be ten terrible years for it feels like yesterday to me. That horrible day is imbedded in my mind till I see you again in the glorious after life. We all love and miss you my son. No words can explain the pain from losing you.

R.J, It is hard to believe it has been a year, since you left us. I look at your photo and weep, for the man you were, & all the great things life had in store for you. This pain is with us every second, every minute of the day. I hope you are at peace. We will suffer thru this life without you. I love you.

My deepest sympathy goes out to you, Linda, and Ruben, Jake, and Rachel, for your loss. In searching for you today, I found this guestbook. My heart goes out to you, and words can't express how I feel, but I do hope you have found some sort of peace, and comfort this past year. Please contact Debbie Terlap (popoff) at Risotto's in Gurnee, if you ever do find this message, and she can contact me. God bless you and your family.

I knew RJ from way back. Gradeschool and so on. He was always a real nice guy, and I have no doubt he'll be sorely missed. Take care man
-Michael Curry

Missing you so very much!

Did not know Ruben long, you can tell right away that he was a great person, his work ethic was the strongest I have seen. I imagine it had a lot to do with loving dedicated parents. Dad, he mentioned you about 12 times in the week I knew him. Our deepest condolences for your enormous loss.

Rj I know we really did not get a chance to hang out much and I really regret that I wish I would have came around more! But the times we did hang out they were the best you were a awesome guy to hang with! Love ya Cuz!
My you R.I.P!

Ruben, Linda, Jack and Rachel, I know words can not help right now but know that we are here for you guys! Just keep your head up and take it day by day! Sorry for what you guys have to go through! We love you guys very much we will keep you in our prayers and heart!

Love Always,

Dear Sanchez Family - You are in our thoughts and our prayers. May you find some comfort in fond memories and the love of family and friends.

Dear Ruben and Linda,
I am sorry that it has taken me this long to sign RJ's guest book. Eddie was just released from the hospital this afternoon, and although I know Ed will miss one of the closest and best friend’s he will ever have, my whole family is missing him so much. I never knew when I would look out a window at my house and see RJ's green car in the driveway. I remember the day he got that car and how happy and proud he was when he came over to show us. I said that I loved the car because I liked anything “different” and I had never seen a car quite that color before - he said that is exactly why he loved it – NO ONE had a car that exact color of green and everyone would know it was him when they saw him going down the road! One day I came home from work and he was unloading a huge, charred door frame that took up half my driveway. He asked me where Ed was and I said I wasn't sure. RJ said that he needed the door for a test he had to take at the fire department in a few weeks and he was sure Eddie “wouldn't mind” if he kept it at our house. So we all maneuvered around that door for the next few weeks! On the day he came to pick it up and take it back to the fire department, I asked RJ and Eddie how they were going to get it over there (just a few blocks away) and they both looked at me like I was speaking a different language – RJ and Eddie were so alike – the fun part to them was always the challenge. I heard later that it involved tying the door to the bumper of Ed’s truck and dragging it to the fire station, sparks flying and RJ jogging along side it directing Ed on the turns! He loved, loved, loved being a fire fighter, and would often stop over our house on the way to or from his shift telling us what new thing he learned that day. (To the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department – you all meant more than you know to him, and he said it was like having a second family). I can’t count how many Bears games RJ and Eddie watched together - 2 of the biggest Chicago Bears fans ever. I remember the day RJ came over with a Jets jersey on and I said “You’re a Jets fan now??!!” He said, “I don’t have a choice” and he turned around to show me the back, which of course said “Sanchez”. But he assured me that whenever the Bears and Jets played against each other, it was the Bears all the way! Ruben, RJ knew what he knew because of how much you taught him. Last year RJ and Eddie helped my step-dad put a new roof on a mobile home they used to love to go to in Necedah, Wisconsin to fish. My step-dad said that of all the people he has worked with over the years, he would choose RJ and Eddie hands down on any project, every time. One day, Eddie came in from our garage – one of RJ’s and Eddie’s favorite places - Eddie said that RJ was just so good at building things; that while Eddie would still be in the measuring and getting ready stage, RJ would already have it done and have it done perfectly. Linda, thank you for letting Ed practically live at your house when they first bought the boat - I don’t remember how many “all-nighters” they did, except I remember Eddie coming home many mornings as I was leaving for work and when I asked if he wanted me to make him something to eat, he’d always say, “no, Linda just cooked breakfast for me and RJ”! If there was one thing that was always, always clear to me, it was how much RJ loved you both – how important his family was to him. RJ was such a hard worker, yet he did it with such a great sense of humor. I will always, always remember his laugh because I heard it so often. I never heard RJ say a negative or disparaging remark about anyone – he always saw the good in everyone, and he could find something funny in even the most mundane situations. RJ lived more in his 25 years than I have lived in almost twice as many years. I will use him as my inspiration to always look for the good in everyone and always remember to laugh. Thank you RJ for all that you brought to mine and my family’s lives and I’m counting on you to be Eddie’s, Randy’s, Nikki’s, Mama and Papa’s and my guardian angel ‘til we all meet up again. We love you!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I don't have words to heal a pain I cannot even begin to comprehend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I don't have words to take away a pain I cannot even begin to comprehend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

JoAnne Concidine

Dear Linda, Ruben, Jake & Rachel: My thoughts and prayers are with you, words cannot make the pain go away, but your memories will remain in your heart forever.May Godd bless your family. Paula Groblewski & family

I am soo sorry for your guy's loss. RJ was a very nice guy. Even though I only knew him for a short time it was enough to know he was a great guy. I'm glad he got to hang out with Andy, Ed, Ashley, Nikki, and I that past Friday. And now he is in a better place. RJ will be truley missed. ~Jaree` Petranech~ Burlington WI

Ruben, Linda and family,
Our hearts go out to you! We are so sorry for your loss.
Andrea & Larry Pruett

Ruben Sanchez. SR and family so sorry for your loss there. Are no words to comfort. The emptyness in your hearts. Our family will keep you all in our prayers

Ruben, Linda and Family,
Our most sincere condolences during this difficult time. Nuestros mas sincero pesame en este momento tan dificil.
Roberto y Ines Garcia, San Benito, Texas.

Ruben and Linda
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.

My condolences are with you and your family. I can't believe how short life is. It's hard to believe your gone, even though we haven't kept in contact since I moved awhile back! I will think of you still!

Our hearts go out to you all during this difficult time! We are all devestated with the news of RJ's passing. Please know we are here to help you in any way that we can! We love all of you!

We hope that RJ found the peace that he was looking for.

R.J. you were a great friend to me for the last 20 years of my life. You will be truly missed. My heart is with you today and always. My heart goes out to your family . Kelly Strom

R.J. you were a great friend to me for the last 20 years of my life. You will be truly missed. My heart is with you today and always. My heart goes out to your family .

Our prayers go out to the family and all of R.J's friends. One of his best friend's is Eddie and he is my nephew. He will be missed by many.

Linda, my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Audrey Helgesen

Linda,Ruben,Jake,Rachel
My heart aches with you with the loss of your beloved R.J. My thoughts and
prayers are with you now and always.
Kathy Jackson.

Sorry for your loss.god bless the Sanchez family.John Sacca (Zion,IL)

Ruben, Linda and family: Our deepest sympathy goes out to you all. We pray that God will help you through this difficult time. Rick Michur and Sandy Pugh

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Sanchez family. For those who knew RJ knew how fun loving and caring he was. He has touched so many hearts. I know we will all cherish our memories with him. your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Sanchez Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I remember JR as a little guy and I remember how much he was loved. My prayer is for your comfort knowing that we will all be together again when our Lord reunites us.

I am so thankful for all of the memories to have shared with you growing up. You were always such a standup guy. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sanchez family. You will be greatly missed!!! May you Rest in Peace my dearest friend.

Love,
Dustin Abrego and family

(Fort Worth, Texas)

I am so thankful for all of the memories to have shared with you growing up. You were always such a standup guy. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sanchez family. You will be greatly missed!!! May you Rest in Peace my dearest friend.

Love,
Dustin Abrego and family

(Fort Worth, Texas)

You will be missed RJ.

God bess the Sanchez family. Even though you walk threw the valley of death He is with you. sorry about your loss. The Saywards, Dallas TX

We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. We're sending you a hug from afar.

My Dear Linda, Ruben, Jake and Rachel I can't find words to say how sad I am for your loss. You will be in my prayers.

Love
Linda Palmer Rivera

RJ- Since I have heard about your passing I have tried so many times to express my condolences but I end up with nothing because I dont know what to say. I have never had to deal with anything like this and it has opened my eyes in so many ways. To the Sanchez Family- I am very sorry for your loss. I went to school with RJ and he was always fun to be around. I have a lot of letters from him and I would love to go back and read some of them. When I found out about Mike Stice passing away I asked RJ what happen and he told me to meet him at his gravesite one day and he would tell me. Because I no longer live in the state of Illinois due to my husbands career I was never able to do this, for that I am sadened. I hope you keep good memories close to your heart and stay strong for others need you.

Dear Ruben and Family,

It is heartbreaking to know the pain your family is going through with the loss of RJ. You are all in our thoughts during this extremely difficult time. He will live in your heart forever.

We are so sorry to hear about RJ's passing. We are praying for your family to find comfort in God.

Brenda, Amanda and Megan Hansen

Linda, Ruben, Rachel, and Jake-
So sorry for your loss. Words cannot adequately express our sympathies, but know you are each in our thoughts and prayers. Hang onto the good memories, they will help you thru this difficult time. Val, Derek and Devin

Our sincerest condolences to the Sanchez family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bebe & Jerome Taylor (parent of Alvin & Tyler Burdick).

This is truly a terrible loss for everyone. My prayers and thoughts go out to you. Rj you will be greatly missed...... Tina Vargo

God bless the sanchez family may god help you thru this difficult time. There are no words that will comfort you at this time, but the memories will always be carried in your hearts.

Ruben, Linda, Jake & Rachel: I am deeply sorry for your loss. RJ was the most amazing person ever and he will truly be missed. Hold tight to memories for comfort and cherish the memories of the times spent together. May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time. RJ will always be my first love. Love You Always & Forever RJ!

Rj, r.I.p. my sincerest condolences to the sanchez family. love you rj

Ruben, Linda, Jake & Rachel: I am deeply sorry for your loss. RJ was the most amazing person ever and he will truly be missed. Hold tight to memories for comfort and cherish the memories of the times spent together. May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time. RJ will always be my first love.

Love You Always & Forever RJ!

Dearest Sanchez family~
We are so very sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you through this very difficult time, God bless you
Jackie & Wendell Russell

Our prayers and thoughts go the Sanchez family . Memories are the best they are in your hearts.Love Diana Elizalde and family

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Sanchez family. Memories will be the best condolence. Diana Elizalde, North Chicago, IL

Dear~Ruben, Linda, Jake and Rachel
My deepest sympathies to all of you. R.J will always hold a special place in my heart. Heaven received anoither angel. Love to you all. Hugs~Jackie Ingoglia

Hey RJ I love u man! I'll see you again someday and when I do make sure you have a fishing pole and a drink waiting for me... Tight lines brother....

My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I can only imagine the hurt and heartache of losing a child. No words can help at this time, but may the memories keep him alive in your heart. Darlene Balli and Family.