Bonifacio R. Sanchez

Bonifacio “Fil” R. Sanchez, a retired New York City civil engineer, passed away on January 24, 2024 in East Meadow, NY, surrounded by his seven children and other family members. He was 79. Bonifacio was born in 1944 in the province of Pangasinan in the Philippines. In 1985, he followed his older brother, Larry, to the United States in search of a better life for his children. After working for a few years, he petitioned his children to come to the United States with him between 1990 and 1995. He lived in the New York metro area until he retired as a civil engineer for the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 2014 when he decided to move back to his hometown in Pangasinan. During those years, he watched most of his children grow up, marry, and start families of their own; he lived long enough to see a new generation of eleven grandkids being born and raised in the United States.

In his spare time, Bonifacio enjoyed any activity that required problem solving, computers, basketball, billiards, and challenging his grandsons to a game of chess. What his family will miss the most are his sarcastic and petty quips towards his children and grandchildren. We also cannot forget his passion for good liquor and cigarettes. There are times that he was not the easiest to deal with as he was as stubborn as a bull but despite that, he loved his children and was committed to seeing them become hard working, independent adults. He is survived by his two siblings, seven children, eleven grandchildren, and countless supportive family members in the Philippines and the U.S.

A visitation for Bonifacio will be held Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Homes, 125 Old Country Rd, Hicksville, New York 11801. Departing Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home at 10:30AM on Monday, January 29, 2024 for a committal service at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Garden Mausoleums, 2030 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, New York 11739 to take place 11:15AM to 12:00PM.