Maximiliano Sanchez

Maximiliano "Max" Sanchez, age 91, beloved and devoted father and grandfather, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 6, 2015, while surrounded by his loving family.   He was born in Alameda, NM on October 27, 1923, and was a resident of Albuquerque.  Max enjoyed traveling, playing his harmonica and guitar, he loved to dance, fish, make Indian jewelry and play Skip Bo.  He especially liked to play Skip Bo with Rose and Art Morales of Hatch and Bill and Jenny Bowman of West Virginia, and visit with his "snow birds" (friends he met over years while living in Tor C).  Max helped his father farm a 30 acre farm, planting, cultivating and harvesting onions, beets, tomatoes, green peppers, alfalfa, beans, and other vegetable crops using a team of horses to pull farming implements; he also made minor repairs and adjustments to farming equipment, irrigation work, tended to livestock and poultry and many other chores on the farm.  Max was a proud Veteran of the United States Army, who served his country during World War II.  He joined the Army in June 1943 at the age of 18.  He was sent to El Paso, TX and then to Luxton, OK for training.  He was a CPL in the 207th Field Artillery Battalion as a light truck driver and performed duties for 30 months.  Max drove all types of military vehicles from 1/4 ton to 2 1/2 ton capacity, hauled military personnel, supplies and equipment.  He drove under combat and blackout conditions overall types of terrain.  He supervised the loading and unloading of vehicles, checked the operation of lights, brakes, steering mechanisms and other operating parts, services, cleaned and lubricated, made minor repairs and adjustment on vehicles.  Mas served 18 months in the European Theater of operations in England, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Belgium, Holland and Germany.   He was Honorably discharged on February 13, 1946.  When Max was discharged from the Army, he worked at the C & H Sugar Refinery in California.  On his way back to New Mexico he volunteered to help fight wild fires in Flagstaff, AZ.  Once in Albuquerque, he interviewed for a job at Kirtland Air Force Base and was hired on the spot!  He worked in the Fire Department at KAFB for 28 years and retired on his birthday in 1976.  After Max retired, he and his wife, Tillie whom he married in June 1949, and then again by the Catholic Church on January 8, 1953 were married for 47 years when his wife Tillie passed away.  During their life together they traveled the West Coast and Alaska to do some salmon and deep sea fishing.  Later they brought a small home in T or C, NM where they worked together at the Yucca Lodge and Bath House for many years.  Both loved to go out on their boat to fish and camp at Elephant Butte Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Maria Sanchez; his wife Tillie Sanchez; brothers, Jose and Salvador; and sisters, Filomena, Trini Haney and Sue Durbin.  Max is survived by his loving children, Max Phillip Sanchez and wife Mary, Emily Bencomo and husband Efrain, Robert Michael Sanchez; six grandchildren, Monette Vezelizi and partner Stevie McDermott, Phillip Sanchez and wife Rebecca, Jessica Sanchez-Groff, Justin Sanchez, Izzy and Rayna; six great-grandchildren, Gabriel Martinez-Perales, Estevan, Shania, Ashley and Alexandra Vezelici, Max Sanchez III; sister-in-law, Lola and husband Bill Ragan; two special nieces, Sylvia Serna and Jennie Chavez; numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.  Max will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation will be Monday, June 15, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary, 9420 Fourth St., NW, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.  Final Viewing will be Tuesday, June 16, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Alameda Mortuary.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 9502 Fourth St., NW.  Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.  Casket Bearers will be Joe Gallegos, Abran Gallegos, Patrick Atencio, Gabriel Martinez-Perales, Efrain Bencomo, and Phillip Sanchez.  Honorary Bearers will be Kathy Atencio, David Gallegos, and Justin Sanchez.

Max's care is entrusted to:
Daniels Family Funeral Svcs.
ALAMEDA  MORTUARY
9420 Fourth St. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 898-3160

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