John Sanchez could fix anything, and he could befriend anyone.
He built his home, and when he was done with that, he helped neighbors build theirs, said his daughter, Nora Duran.
Sanchez, of Tijeras, died Thursday of cancer at the age of 77.
A staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1953-1961, he served as a radio operator. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1985. His radio work in the Air Force became a hobby after he left, as a lifelong ham radio operator, Duran said.
Sanchez is survived by his first and second wives, Priscilla Sanchez and Clytie LeDoux; six children, John Sanchez, Victoria Brigance, Theresa Sanchez-Renner, James Sanchez, Carl Sanchez and Nora Duran; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal
