Jose A. Sanchez Sr.

José A. Sanchez Sr., who brightened every room he found himself in, passed away surrounded by loved ones on November 16, 2024 at 69 years of age. José was born in Manati, Puerto Rico to Catalina Rosario Maisonet and Fernando Sanchez Torres on September 13, 1955.
José worked "like a dog" as a beloved figure at the Salem County Board of Social Services for forty years until retiring in 2022. He also served his community as the president of the Puerto Rican Action Committee of New Jersey for over forty years, consistently uplifting the voices of his fellow Latinos/as, as was his passion.
José lived every moment to its fullest potential, never passing up an opportunity to make a memory. A father, a grandfather, a brother, a son, a boss, a friend, or simply a familiar face, José was many things to many people. He was a support system, a spirited dancer, an endless supply of wit, and a soft place to land with a home-cooked meal. The father of three children, he saw each of them grow and come into their own, lending them the tools to forge their own paths and maintaining connections with them that stretched further than any physical distance could. José demonstrated extraordinary strength and characteristic bravery until the very end.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his great-grandson Cadence W. Riley. José is survived by his children JoAnnie Rosario, Erica Y. Sanchez-Richards (Larry), and José A. Sanchez Jr. (Maria), his siblings Migdalia (Daya) Mena, Fernando (Junior) Sanchez Jr., Evengelia (Eva) Sanchez, and Francisco (Pancho) Sanchez, and his grandchildren James P. Riley, Lorren I. Richards, and Eloísa B. Richards.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Adams Funeral Home, 64 Broad St., Woodstown, NJ 08098. The viewing will begin at 9 AM with the service following at 11 AM. Burial will take place at Lawnside Cemetery. www.adamsfuneralhome.org