John R. Sanchez, 64, died July 23, 2009 at his residence in Salida.

He was born  May 30, 1925,  (Decoto) Union City , CA. John resided for 21 years in Union City (Decoto).

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Leonore Sanchez of Salida; children     Susan Pierce and husband Clay of Manteca, Brenda Sanchez of Soulsbyville, J. Sanchez of Salida, and was preceded in death by Ann Sanchez; and siblings Theresa August of Fremont, Joseph Sanchez of Union City, and Ruth Lima of Fremont. Siblings preceding him in death were Dick Sanchez, Anthony Sanchez, Manuel Sanchez, Frank Sanchez, Antoinette Montellano, and Mary Batterson.

John is also survived by nine grandchildren Michael Parra, Joseph Hernandez, Nicole Adams, Joshua Pierce, Amy Young, Sara Torres, AnMari Sanchez, Dezirae Sanchez, Johnny Sanchez; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He also was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

John retired after 35 years as a diesel mechanic for Peterbilt Motors in Newark. He had also served as a volunteer firefighter for 35 years for the Decoto (Union City, CA) fire department.  He was a member of the Machinist Union Local No.1546 in San Leandro.  He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  He was an avid Giants fan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family.

An online guestbook is available at www.plfryandson.com.

Visitation is Thursday, July 30, from 3 to 7 p.m. at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca. A rosary/mass will be held Friday, July 31, at  noon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon.

The final resting place will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, 17871 S. Carrolton Road, Escalon.   

In lieu of flowers, remeberances may be sent to Optimal Hospice, 122 W. Granger Ave., Modesto, CA, 95330.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, July 29, 2009