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Deacon Sanchez dies at 79
By Julie Filby
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Deacon Wilfred Sanchez |
Deacon Wilfred Sanchez, who served in active ministry for the Denver Archdiocese for 30 years, died Oct. 22. He was 79.
A native of Alamosa, Deacon Sanchez was born Feb. 1, 1932, to Silverio Sebastian Sanchez and Lucia Petronilla Gonzales.
The family moved to Denver in 1943 where he attended Sacred Heart School and Annunciation High School. In March 1952 he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Korean War on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. He remained active in the Navy until February 1956. He also served in the Navy Reserves for four years.
Upon his return to Denver he married his wife of 54 years, Herminia Chavez, on June 8, 1957, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Denver. The couple has eight children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Deacon Sanchez worked for the postal service for 43 years as a mail carrier and clerk. He was ordained in Denver’s second diaconate class on April 2, 1977, by then-Archbishop James Casey. After ordination, he was assigned to Presentation of Our Lady Parish in Denver for 13 years. He was then assigned to St. Elizabeth Parish where he served for 12 years. His last assignment before retiring from active ministry in 2007 was St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Denver.
“He was a wonderful man,” said Father Edward Poehlmann, pastor at Presentation of Our Lady. “He was very much loved in the parish … by people from way back.”
In his 30 years of service to the Church, Deacon Sanchez was known for bringing smiles to young and old alike, including working as Santa Claus at Christmas events. He was honored with the St. George Award from Bishop Casey for his participation in the Boy Scouts of America program.
Deacon Sanchez was humbled with the fact that his face was used to model an oil-based painting of St. Peter at Sacred Heart Church in Denver, a story he had shared with friends through the years.
Deacon Joseph Donohoe, director of deacon personnel, reflected on Deacon Sanchez’s ministry.
“Deacon Wil made a statement on his application for the diaconate that read: ‘If He (Jesus) died for me, why can’t I for him?’” he said. “By his witness to the faith and the support his family gave to him, he lived out his life wonderfully and with these words in mind.”
A funeral Mass was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Wheat Ridge on Oct. 27. Burial took place at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver.
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