Mr. Jose L. SanchezCullum: 26008 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: B1 Date of Birth: June 21, 1942 Date of Death: April 20, 2020 Died in: New Jersey Interred: West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY - View or Post a Eulogy |
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José Luís "Joe" Sanchez, a great American and classmate, passed away on April 20, 2020 at the age of 77. He was the beloved husband of Nancy Sanchez of Tabernacle, NJ, father to Lisa (Robert) Hilden of CA and Steven (Ubby) Sanchez of Texas, and grandfather to Hanna, John, Steven, and Ethan.
Joe was born on June 21, 1942, Father's Day, in San Juan, PR to Marina Roman and Benicio Sanchez-Castaño. He later moved to the Eastern United States to attend and graduate from the Carson Long Military Academy in Pennsylvania. He spent one year at the Sullivan Preparatory School in Washington, DC before fulfilling his childhood dream of attending the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, where he met his beloved wife, Nancy, and forged lifelong bonds with his classmates and new brothers.
While a cadet, Joe organized a 12-person team for what became known as the "Yearling Leap," a pre-Army-Navy football game nighttime escapade to build spirit prior to the big game. When the team's movement was detected by the MPs, the players all scattered. Joe and three friends jumped over what they thought was a low wall into bushes but instead found themselves in the tops of trees. Joe and two comrades were taken to the emergency room. While recovering in the hospital the next day, the injured cadets were visited by their superior officers. The officers consulted over appropriate punishment for the cadets, but the Superintendent, Major General William Westmoreland, decided Joe and his comrades had suffered enough and there would be no punishment. He then said to Joe and his friend, "Next time you jump, use a parachute. Beat Navy!"
Joe's proudest achievements were graduating from USMA with the Class of 1965, marrying the love of his life, Nancy, at West Point two days after graduation, and becoming a commissioned officer and pilot in the U.S. Army. Joe served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a pilot and Army Ranger attached to the 173rd Airborne and commander of a platoon with the 203rd Recon Aircraft Company. He flew O-1 Bird Dogs and earned 22 Air Medals, a Bronze Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross during his tours in Vietnam.
Following his military service, Joe had a successful career in corporate America and worked in senior leadership positions for various companies before retiring to private business. Despite work commitments, he always made time for his family and was very active in his children's and grandchildren's lives and supported them in their pursuits. Joe devoted much of his life to helping children. He helped develop recreational facilities and supported various youth athletics programs as a coach, referee, local newspaper reporter and a successful fundraiser.
He remained extremely close to his two lifelong friends from Sullivan Preparatory School, did all he could to support his brothers in the Long Gray Line (old grads and cadets), and was very involved with his USMA class. He was a valued friend and a trusted classmate known for his tenacity, strength of character and unflinching willingness to help anyone in need. Joe combined uncompromising standards with a gregarious nature and ready smile that made him a unique treasure welcomed in any setting.
As a Class of 1965 officer, he contributed broadly to class activities. Perhaps the single most notable impact was convincing his fellow class leaders to purchase a class flag to be displayed at all class events, such as promotions, retirements, social gatherings and especially funerals. Additionally, Joe was instrumental in establishing and promoting a class gathering each year at the Army-Navy football game, a tradition that has continued for over 40 years.
Joe was a true citizen of the world and traveled to every corner of the earth. In 2011, Joe returned to Vietnam and was delighted to find a beautiful, welcoming, and modern country. He toured historical landmarks and visited places in which he had served, including the remains of an airstrip that he had constructed and used. In his words, the trip gave him an opportunity to "bury the ghosts!"
He was the coolest dad, never acted his age and had a larger-than-life personality with a heart of gold. He was often described as the life of the party, loved a good laugh and went out of his way to make friends with people of all professional, social and academic backgrounds. He was a rare combination of someone with a zest for life and the utmost dedication to what is truly important: family and the ones you love.
He was an animal lover, history buff, airplane and train enthusiast, toy soldier collector and hobbyist, food and wine connoisseur, cigar aficionado, amateur bartender, fantastic cook, fashionista, and a great debater who could converse on any subject.
He never slowed down and was the world's greatest grandfather. He was known to his four grandchildren as "GD," a name he gave himself in 1996 because he felt he was too young to be a grandfather.
He lived a full life on his terms with dignity and honor. The world was truly a much better place while he was here, and now that he is gone, it feels emptier for all who knew and loved him. We are grateful for the time together and all the wonderful memories. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered.
"Mi Hermano," you ran an amazing race! Your work here on earth is done! Be Thou at Peace!
Fare thee well Joe, from your classmates, and from your Love, Nancy.
— Nancy Sanchez and classmates
Obituary
Jose (Joe) Luis Sanchez, a great American and resident of Tabernacle NJ passed away at the age of 77.
Joe was born on June 21, 1944 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Marina Roman and Benicio Sanchez-Castaño. He later moved to the Eastern United States to attend and graduate from the Carson Long Military Academy in Pennsylvania. He then spent one year in the Sullivan Preparatory School in Washington DC before fulfilling his childhood dream of attending the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, where he met his beloved wife, Nancy, and forged lifelong bonds with his classmates and new brothers.
His proudest achievements were graduating from USMA, marrying the love of his life Nancy, and becoming a commissioned officer and pilot in the US Army. He went on to serve two tours of duty in Vietnam as a pilot and Army Ranger attached to the 173rd Airborne and commander of a platoon of the 203rd Recon-Brigade. He flew Birddogs and earned 22 Air Medals including a bronze star and the Distinguished Flying Cross during his service in Vietnam.
Following his military service, Joe had a successful career in corporate America and worked in senior leadership positions for various companies before retiring to private business. Despite his work commitments, he always made time for his family and was very active in his children and grand children's lives and supported them in their pursuits. He remained extremely close to his two life-long friends from Sullivan Preparatory School, did all he could to support his brothers in the long grey line (old grads and cadets) and was active with his class and brothers – USMA '65. He was a valued friend and trusted Classmate known for his tenacity, strength of character and unflinching willingness to help anyone in need. His gregarious personality and ready smile coupled with his uncompromising standards made him a unique treasure welcomed in any setting.
He was the coolest dad, never acted his age and had a larger than life personality with a heart of gold. He was often described as the life of the party, loved a good laugh and went out of his way to make friends with people of all professional, social and academic backgrounds. He was a rare combination of someone with love for life and utmost dedication to what is truly important – family and the ones you love.
He was a history buff, airplane and train enthusiast, toy soldier collector/hobbyist, wine and food connoisseur, cigar aficionado, amateur bartender (we will miss the drinks), fashionista, and a great debater that could converse on any subject.
Joe was a true citizen of the world and traveled to every corner of the earth, but nothing made him happier than returning home to his family in the USA.
He lived a full life on his terms with dignity and honor. The world was truly a much better place while he was here and now that he is gone, it presently feels much less kind for all who knew and loved him. We are grateful for the time together and all of the wonderful memories. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered.
He never slowed down and was the world's greatest grandfather. He was known to his grandchildren and more as "GD", a name he gave himself 24 years ago because he felt he was too young to be a grandfather.
Beloved husband to Nancy Sanchez of Tabernacle NJ, father to Lisa (Robert) Hilden of CA and Steve (Ubby) Sanchez of TX, grandfather aka GD to Hanna, John, Steven and Ethan. In addition Joe is survived by his loving brother Benicio Sanchez-Rivera, sisters Anae, Alis, Zulma and the families of Sanchez-Castaño, Sanchez-Rivera, Sanchez-Gaetan and Sanchez-Landrau of Puerto Rico.
Fare thee well Joe, you ran an amazing race, and your work here on earth is done. Be thou at peace!
A memorial service and interment will be held at the United States Military Academy at West Point Cemetery at a later date.
