Carlos Alfredo Sanchez

Carlos Alfredo Sanchez was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Carlos will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Carlos was born on November 2, 1938 in San Salvador, El Salvador. He was the son of Jose Medardo Sanchez and Margarita Esperanza Sanchez-Melara. Carlos grew up in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Carlos was raised with three siblings. He had two brothers, Pepe and Edgar, and one sister, Evelyn. Carlos was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young boy, Carlos had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. In his spare time he liked watching sports, and playing the piano and the guitar. However, to Carlos, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends.

A typical teenager, Carlos had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated from Escuela Militar de El Salvador in 1957. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

Carlos enjoyed his college years, which may have been a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied them, but Carlos was able to manage the balancing act. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. His favorite professor was Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J. He was an 'A' student in all of his college courses. He enjoyed the social justice aspect of a Jesuit education.

Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Carlos enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dr. Oscar Bruni, Mario Huezo, and Tono Pipa.

In 1960, Carlos exchanged wedding vows with his first wife, Alicia Coto. On November 1, 1967, Carlos married his second wife, Rosa Gladys Lopez. Empathic and loyal, Carlos was committed to making his new family happy.

Carlos worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Carlos was blessed with four children, two sons, Leo and Jose Carlos, and two daughters, Evelyn and Karla Maria. Another blessing for Carlos was the gift of nine grandchildren, Andres, Erick, Daniel, Adriana, Nick, Lydia, Sabrina, Briana, and Mario Jr.

Fortunately, Carlos enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Carlos worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was as an Accountant in El Salvador. He was employed for 15 years at SISA in El Salvador and 19 years for United Airlines at SFO in San Francisco, California. Carlos always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Carlos enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were playing the guitar and piano. He never had any formal training and was self-taught. He was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Carlos found pleasure in sports. Carlos was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he had the chance to do so. Tops on his list were baseball, basketball, soccer and football.

Carlos enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included San Andres, Colombia, and Spain.

Carlos was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of his favorites was Blackie, a Pekinese dog. They were best friends for 10 years.

When Carlos’s retirement finally arrived in 2004, he was well prepared. His new life involved retiring in Castro Valley, California. In retirement, he found new pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren. Even in retirement, Carlos continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Carlos was active in his new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

Carlos passed away on July 6, 2013 at his home in Castro Valley, California. He passed away due to natural causes. He is survived by his children; his grandchildren; and his brothers Pepe and Edgar, and sister, Evelyn. Services were held at the Chapel of Roses at Oak Hill Funeral Home in San Jose, California. Carlos was laid to rest in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Simply stated, Carlos was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Carlos leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Carlos Alfredo Sanchez.