Sig Sanchez
November 11, 1920 - January 30, 2021 Resident of Gilroy, California
Our respected and loved father, Grampa, and Great Grampa, Segundo [Sig] Sanchez, passed away peacefully January 30, 2021 at his home in Gilroy, California, of natural causes incident to his 100+ years of age. Sig was born in Hollister, California, November 11, 1920, the second of eleven children of his remarkable immigrant parents, Julian and Anastasia Losano Sanchez. One of the happiest days of his life was when he married the beautiful love of his life, Mila Jane Farotte, November 7, 1943, in San Juan Batista. Together they had one daughter, Donna Lucille Sanchez of San Jose, and four sons, David [Maria] of Bountiful, Utah, Chris [Beverly] of Hotchkiss, Colorado, Nick [Sandy] of Weslaco, Texas and Jon [Michelle] of Gilroy, California.
Sig grew up working in the fields with his parents and siblings. In 1940, he and his brothers became their own growers. Although he remained a farmer at heart, he branched out five years later into several businesses, including warehousing and residential development. At the suggestion of a friend, he ran for public office and served two terms on the Gilroy City Council, two terms as Mayor of the City of Gilroy, four terms as a Santa Clara County Supervisor from the South County District 1, and one year as President of the County Supervisors Association of California. After retiring from the County Board of Supervisors, he was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara Valley Water District and became a charter member of the Board of Directors of the San Luis & Delta-mendota Water Authority. After 29 years of doing his best to assure an adequate water supply to the people whom he served, and after a total of 55 years in public office, Sig retired for real, on December 15, 2009, at the still vibrant age of 89. “El Presidente,” as he was often called, was always the consummate gentleman. He mentored many younger men and women as they entered the field of politics and public service. It was important to him to bring people together for the greater good. He never thought his political career was for personal gain. Sig had a deep heart for the people he served.
His service on these boards and on the City Council was a blessing to him and to his entire family. He had a genuine concern for the people he served, and, with integrity and dedication, he did his best to resolve their issues and problems. He enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow board and council members and often talked of his respect and appreciation for the expertise, cooperation, and dedication of all the terrific staff members with whom he worked. He answered every telephone call and returned every missed call by the end of each day, even if it meant not finishing meals with his family. His kids learned at an early age the importance of writing telephone messages very carefully, getting correct names and telephone numbers. He was honored to have had the San Martin government building and a ten mile stretch of the 101 freeway named after him.
Sig loved the diversity in his community and enjoyed associating with all of his constituents. He was passionate about using the taxpayers dollars prudently, while trying to help build them a better life, with sufficient water and a good transportation system. Sig continued his community service on several boards to benefit local organizations, including HOPE Rehabilitation, Wheeler Hospital, South Valley Hospital, Health Dimensions, Inc, and the Odd-fellows and Rebekah Children’s Home, assisting many of these with capital campaigns.
With Sig, family was number one. After his Dad passed, he went to the ranch everyday to see his Mama. He continued his brief daily visits even after she died in order to see his sisters who also lived on the ranch. Sometimes they just sat out on the porch, had their tea, watched the grass grow and the cars go by. He really enjoyed being with his family and knew how to keep life in perspective. He always honored his wife, because, he said, he could not have accomplished half of the things he did over the years without her constant support and faithful devotion to the family. He was a great example to his children, teaching them the value of hard work, being a calming influence, and trying to be supportive of their desires and efforts. They knew their father as an honorable man and a man of integrity whom they respected and loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, his brothers, Peter, Marion, and Joseph, his sisters, Lucy Sanchez and Nita Romero and his brothers in law, Gordon Farotte, Wil Maddux, Frank Romero and David Armijo. He is survived by his brother, Tom [Liz] Sanchez of Rio Vista, his sisters, Mary Rowe, Penny Armijo, and Annie Del Carlo, all of Hollister and Judy Maddux of Yorba Linda, his sisters-in-law, Gloria Carlyle of Gualala and Maryanne Sanchez of Los Banos. He is also survived by his five children, his thirteen awesome grandchildren, eighteen delightful great grandchildren and many loved nieces and nephews and several dear and caring friends, including his poker buddies. The family wishes to thank Dad’s skilled and attentive doctors and the wonderful companionship of his friend, Eddie Sanchez, and his devoted longtime caregiver, Gina Gomez, and others who came to help towards the end of his life.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 13th at 11:00am outdoors at St. Mary Parish, located at 11 First Street in Gilroy. Arrangements are being handled by Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy. If you have concerns over COVID-19, you are invited to join virtually on Facebook: “St. Mary Parish Gilroy” www.facebook.com/smpgilroy or on their website: www.smpgilroy.org. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Odd-fellows and Rebekah Children’s Home at www.rcskids.org, St. Mary School at www.stmarygilroy.org or St. Mary Parish at www.smpgilroy.org.