Albert N. Sanchez

Albert Napoleon Sánchez, 79, passed away on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family at Mountain View Medical Center, in Las Cruces, NM. He was born in Dilia, NM on March 18, 1926 to the late Beatrice and Sotero Sánchez. Albert served his country honorably during World War II. He was a Sergeant with the 1322nd Service Command Unit of the United States Army. He served in Italy from April to August 1945. When he returned from his tour of duty in Italy, he married Agnes Sánchez in Santa Rosa, NM. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education and a Masters degree in Public School Administration and Business Administration from NM Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. Albert Sánchez led a long and distinguished career as a NM educator. In the early part of his career, he worked as a teacher in Santa Rosa, Vaughn, and Anton Chico, NM. He later worked as a principal in Santa Rosa and Las Vegas, NM. He was the Superintendent of Schools, Guadalupe County. Prior to his retirement from the NM schools he served as Superintendent for the Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools. In his career as an educator, he was a life member of the National Education Association and he served as the President for NEA NM beginning in 1966. He was also a life member of the National Parent Teachers Association. He was the President of Luna Vocational Technical Institute in Las Vegas, NM from 1972-1976. In his work as an advocate for other educators, he was a charter member and Vice President of the NM Retirement Board for educators. Albert served on educational policy commissions including the Governors White House Conference on Education. Albert was also very proud of his mentorship of generations of subsequent NM educators. Albert had a history of public service through his involvement in civic and religious organizations. He was an elected member of the Guadalupe County Commission. He was appointed to the NM Highway Commission by two New Mexican Governors, Governor Jerry Apodaca and later by Governor Bruce King. He served 3 terms on this commission. In Santa Rosa, NM he was the head of the local Red Cross; a member and Commander of the American Legion; Chairman and member of the Recreations Commission, Chairman and member of the Guadalupe County Hospital Board; member and Chairman of the St. Rose of Lima Parish Council and he was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #5146. Albert is preceded in death by his father Sotero M. Sánchez, Mother Beatrice Sánchez, and brother Canuto Ortega, brother-in-law Ray Dominguez of Albuquerque, NM, and brother-in-law Bonifacio Chavez of Santa Rosa, NM and infant grandson Robertito Sánchez. He is survived by his loving wife Agnes P. Sánchez of Las Cruces; son Albert and wife Christine, daughter Christine Sánchez-Cantrell and husband Zell Cantrell, son Robert and wife Josie, son Patrick and wife Mary all of Las Cruces, NM; and son Lawrence and wife Lisa of Grants, NM; Brothers Ernest Sánchez and wife Mary, of Clovis, NM; Sotero Sánchez and wife Erlinda, Orlando Sánchez and wife Sofia, Joe Sánchez and wife Alice, Herman Sánchez, Eugene Sánchez and wife Dorothy, all of Albuquerque, NM; Sisters Ernestine Chavez, of Santa Rosa, NM; Janet Dominguez, of Albuquerque, NM; Juliet Dempsey and husband John, of Plano, Texas; and June Ziegenfuss and husband Larry of Las Cruces, NM; sister-in-law Mary Ortega of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Gregory and wife Mari, Margaret and husband Jim Maes, Melissa and husband Robert Galaz, Rebecca, Marcela, Robert, Maricela and husband Adrian Galaz, Erin, Patrick, Vincent, Katy, Laura, Jacqueline, and 8 great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins. Services for Albert Sánchez will be held in Santa Rosa, NM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. A Rosary will be held on Thursday March 31, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. and a funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Santa Rosa, NM. Pallbearers will be Albert G. Sánchez, Robert Sánchez, Jr., Patrick T. Sánchez, Vincent Sánchez, Joseph Ziegenfuss, and Adrian Galaz. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to the New Mexico Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 14238, Albuquerque, NM 87191. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, NM. (505) 472-3369 www.chavezfuneralhome.com