Elias E. Sanchez

March 8, 1963 – September 2, 2026

For those who may not yet know...

Elias has completed his journey on earth.

After almost 30 years together, it is difficult to imagine my life without the man who was my partner, my adventure, my greatest frustration, my greatest love, and my safe place.

Elias lived life wide open.

Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, he was raised by his mother, Mildred Mendez, and his grandmother. He later left Puerto Rico, spent time in New York, and eventually found his way to Florida. Lakeland became home before Tampa, where he lived for the last 26 years of his life. He was the brother of Joel Espinosa and Hebe Alequin, brother-in-law to Rosalee Espinosa and Alex Alequin

He was a personal trainer, worked in real estate property management, and could fix almost anything. If he didn’t know how, he figured it out. He was mechanically gifted, had an artist’s eye for color, and was endlessly curious.

But Elias was never really defined by what he did for a living. He was defined by how he lived. He loved bikes, fitness, music, dancing, food, sunsets and adventure. He loved being strong and challenging himself to be better. He loved making people laugh.

And he loved people.

He was a father to Shalom Perez and Shaina Simmons, and a stepfather to Corey Combes and Mechele Combes. He loved their spouses, Jesus Manuel Perez, Eric Ryan, Melissa Combes and Burak Koker, and his 13 grandchildren.

Family was important to him. So were the people who became family along the way.

Elias and I met on a dance floor. Both of us had decided we would never marry again.

Then we met. We were like two kids exploring the world together.

For almost 30 years, we explored life together—boats, jet skis, four-wheelers, fitness, dancing, sunsets and eventually mountain bikes.

It wasn’t always easy. Elias was messy, disorganized, endlessly driven, and rarely finished one project before starting another. He drove me absolutely crazy.

He also didn’t always listen. He heard me. He just didn’t listen. When I would ask, “Did you hear what I said?” he would grin and say, “Tell me again.”

His hugs for everyone were legendary but mine were special.

He once told me that we should always find one good quality in another person and share it with them, because it might make them feel special or proud. He lived that philosophy. He believed in people. He gave them confidence. That was especially true on a bicycle.

Through SWAMP, Elias fixed bikes, helped new riders get bikes, worked on trails, volunteered at events and encouraged people to try things they didn’t think they could do. He believed they could, and somehow, they believed it too.

Since his death, the words people have shared about Elias keep circling back to the same things: His energy, his smile, hugs, kindness and encouragement and the way he made people feel.

That is what he leaves behind.

Elias told me he was going somewhere with endless fields and lots and lots of trees. I choose to believe he is there now.

There will be no traditional wake. As he wanted, there will be a celebration—with family, friends, lots of his favorite food, and a bike ride through the woods in his honor. For now, please know that he was deeply loved and that the impact he had on so many people will not leave with him.

Believe that you can, and you will.

That was Elias. That will always be Elias.