Jose "Joe" Sanchez

Jose "Joe" Sanchez, of Lodi, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family.

Joe was married to his beloved wife, the late Donna Sanchez (nee Billings), for 35 years. He is survived by his beloved daughters Jennifer Sanchez and her fiancé Juan Carlos Gonzalez and Kristian Garcia and her husband Steven; his cherished grandsons Luis Sanchez, Jayden Garcia-Sanchez, and Samuel Joseph Curtis. He was the loving brother of Elizabeth Llorente, and uncle of E.J. Aguado Jr. and Natalie Aguado.

Joe was the esteemed son of the late Perla and Jose, who emigrated from Cuba to New York for a better life. Joe embodied determination and a positive mindset, always challenging himself to aim higher and expand his horizons. It was this can-do attitude and visionary spirit that carved a life path in which he became a standout baseball player at Southern New Hampshire University while earning a Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management, and later obtaining an MBA from St. John's University.

Joe had an outsized personality, and a gift for telling stories, often emphasizing a lesson to be learned.

He loved to joke and to tease, and often was the life of the party. If there was music and a dance floor, Joe would be dancing away in no time.

It's no wonder he also was a popular public speaker, and a student favorite at Bergen Community College, where he taught from 2000 to 2005, ranking in the top 15% out of 750 faculty members.

While having a successful career in sales at a pharmaceutical supply company, Joe–true to form–also authored several self-help books, including "Soar Like an Eagle: And Leave the Pack Behind," "The Art of Schmoozing: Mastering the Power of Personal Connections," and "How to Think, Focus, and Make Better Decisions More Effectively."

In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and a private remembrance will be held by the family.