Leonard Sanchez

Obituary for Leonard Sanchez A rosary will be recited for Leonard Sanchez, 63, of Roswell, at 7 pm, Thursday, July 16, 2009 at St. Johns the Baptist Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 am, Friday, July 17, 2009 at St. Johns with Father Juan Montoya O.F.M. officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Visitation for Leonard will begin at 11 am, Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home. Leonard passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. Leonard was born February 21, 1946 to Alfonso Sanchez and Paula Rodriguez-Sanchez in Artesia, NM. He was a lifelong resident of Roswell. Leonard worked and retired from the Chaves County Road Department, where he worked for twenty years as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He loved music, and played several musical instruments including the saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, accordion and the piano. He sang and played in the Church Choir at St. Johns for the 12 pm. services. Leonard played for many weddings and funerals, he also enjoyed making wood bird houses and windmills. He was an antique collector, collecting many antique tractors in his life. Leonard joked around and made everyone laugh, he was very family oriented and loved being around them, he especially loved his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Leonard had a big heart and was loved by everyone that he knew. He is survived by his wife Krystyna of the family home, four sons; Roy Sanchez and his companion Pam Torres of Roswell, Raymond Sanchez and his wife Cherie of Roswell, Richard Sanchez and his companion Bernadette Cervantez of Roswell, Ricky Orlinski and his wife Valerie of Eugene, OR, one daughter; Laura Sanchez and her companion J.R. Schuman of Midland, TX., eight grandchildren; Ivan, Kimberly, Alfonso, Issac, Annalisa, Andres, Phillip and Almira, four brothers; James and his wife Rita Sanchez, Andy and his wife Lucy Sanchez, Pete Sanchez all of Roswell, Alfredo Sanchez of Artesia, one sister; Kay and her husband Leo Raigoza of Roswell, numerous nieces, nephews and close friends. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, one brother; Manuel Sanchez, one sister; Rosa Ponce and one daughter; Juanita Sanchez. Pallbearers will be Stephen Orlinski, Rueben Sanchez, Manuel Sanchez, Tony Armendariz, Manuel Ponce and Johnny Hidalgo. Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and his friends at the Chaves County Road Department. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory.

Leonard Sanchez

February 21, 1946 - July 14, 2009