Alphonse Sanchez

Mr. Alphonse (Al) Sanchez of Visalia and former resident of Anchorage, Alaska passed away Tuesday January 5, 2010 in Visalia at the age of 77. Mr. Sanchez was born August 29, 1932 in Farmersville, California to Theodore and Nellie Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez lived in Anchorage for 45 years where he owned and operated San Alaska Phone Directory as well as Beneficial Used Cars and Spenard Used Furniture and Mini Mart. He had a full and prosperous life in Anchorage, a place that remained special to him all his life. Al suffered a stroke in September 2002 and returned to Visalia in November of 2002. Mr. Sanchez attended local schools and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was a United States National Guard Veteran and an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing the Alaskan waters, hunting, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He will be best remembered as a loving and caring father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend. He will be missed by many. Special thanks to the caring staff at Westgate Gardens where Al lived for the past 7 years. He is survived by 2 sons, Danny Sanchez of Anchorage, Alaska; Michael Sanchez of Fresno; a brother, Gilbert Sanchez of Exeter; 2 sisters, Carol Chavez of Farmersville; Anita Campos of Campbell; 2 granddaughters, Jenny Sanchez of St. Louis, MO and Tesha Sanchez of Anchorage, Aunt Jessie Tafoya of Visalia, great grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and old friends. He was preceded in death by a son, Teddy Sanchez in 1975 and his parents Ted and Nellie Sanchez. A funeral mass will be held Monday January 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, followed by interment at Visalia District Cemetery. A rosary will be held Sunday January 17, 2010, 4:00 p.m. at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel and visitation will began Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be e-mailed to salseranddillard@aol.com.