Paul Sanchez, 90, of Daugherty Township, with his beloved daughter, ?Tee? Henry at his side, peacefully passed away on December 28, 2011.
Born in Bezier, in the South of France, on February 14, 1921, he was the son of the late Candido and Antonia Isabel (Josefa) Sanchez.
During World War II, Paul was a member of the French Underground and served in the French Navy on the Croiseur Georges-Leygues. Amongst other medals, he received the Normandy Commemoration Medal at the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day celebration on June 7, 1994, for his personal commitment during the Liberation of the Province of Normandy.
After the war, he returned to Philadelphia where he had met his wife, Angela, where they raised their three children and he became a proud, patriotic, citizen of the U.S.A. He retired from Eaton Corp. after 35 years of service as a foreman and is a past-president of the French War Veterans Association in Philadelphia.
He is survived by his former wife Angela (Sodano) Sanchez of Gape, PA; daughter Marie Antoinette ?Tee? and her husband, Bob Henry, of Daugherty Township; son, Paul Nicholas Sanchez, and grandchildren, Duane and Raquel, of Narvon PA; son, Robert Jean?, and his wife, Joanna Sanchez, and grandchildren, Camille and Juliet, of Ambler, PA.
In his youth, Paul enjoyed gymnastics, bicycling in the Tour de France, singing in night clubs on the French Riviera and taught ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray?s. He will always be remembered for his love of music and dancing. Even with the onset of Alzheimer?s he looked forward to the weekly dances with live bands at the VFW in Monaca and SOI in New Brighton.
The family wishes to convey their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Cambridge Village for the care Paul during the past seven years and to Heritage Valley Beaver, Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Mother Theresa Hospice who cared for and provided dignity and comfort during his last three months.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Paul?s name may be made to: Alzheimer Disease Research Center., ATTN: Leslie Dunn, MPH, ADRC Administrator, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, Four West, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582.
A memorial service will be Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Donald W. MacNeil, 423 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, PA.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services.
To view the video, share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.