- Date Of Birth: October 5, 1941
- Date Of Death: December 25, 2017
- State: North Carolina
Mr. Flaminio Sanchez, 76 years, of 317 Currituck Lane, died on Monday, December 25, 2017. Mr. Sanchez was born in Isla Umbu, Paraguay, the son of Petronila Acuña and the late Santiago Sanchez. He retired from Husqvarna as a Supervisor. He was a member of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Mr. Sanchez was an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2004. A sister, Veronica Sanchez, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sarah Jacobs Sanchez; son, Dr. Carlos Sanchez (Kristi) of St. Augustine, FL,; daughters, Dr. Miriam McAtee (Rob) of Richmond, VA, Rachel Thwing, PhD (Brenden) of Portland, OR, and Carmen Sanchez, PhD (Jon) of Durham, NC; brothers, Valentin Sanchez and Dr. Angel Sanchez, both of Paraguay; sisters, Agustina Espinoza and Emilce Valenzuela, both of Paraguay; grandchildren, Dylan Sanchez, Ryan McAtee, Dorothy McAtee, Ryleigh Thwing, Steele Thwing, Holden Hughes and Santiago Hughes.
Flaminio was born in the countryside of Paraguay, about 12 miles outside of the small town of Pilar, and his family moved into town when he was 6. He cultivated and always retained an immense love and respect of nature, animals, and particularly of growing vegetables and fruit. He knew the names and calls of all the birds there, as well as the legends surrounding them. He also loved Latin music and was a wonderful dancer.
Although Flaminio’s family was poor in a poor country, they were never poor in spirit or love. Fierce dedication to family was always an important part of his life. His gift to his children and grandchildren was his constant presence in their lives and they cherish the rich memories he created with them.
Flaminio’s native tongue was Guarani and he was fluent in Spanish, French and English. He was open to learning more as he traveled, and his children remember counting off at least six languages of which he had knowledge and confidence to communicate and reach out to others.
Flaminio obtained his teaching certificate in Paraguay and served the Paraguayan military for two years as the teacher for a general’s children. In his twenty-first year the Catholic priests in Paraguay selected him for scholarship to study in Madrid at a Catholic university with the intention that Flaminio would assume a leadership position in society. A club formed in Pilar to help him raise spending money, since his family had few resources. He traveled across the ocean on a freighter and became very seasick, so sick that he couldn’t stand for a hair to move on his head. He shaved it all and arrived in Spain bald! The club that formed to help him went bankrupt when a dance they had organized was rained out, and he had no more spending money. Although his scholarship covered room and board, he couldn’t even afford to replace his shoes if they wore out. Spain was a very poor country at that time, so there were no jobs to be had there. So, after a year, he hitchhiked to Strasbourg, France, and began working there. Eventually, he was able to start studying at the University of Strasbourg, working his way through and obtaining a Master’s degree in Social Economics. He spent a total of 10 years in France and Spain. While there he met Sarah Jacobs, also a student, and they married in October, 1969, then returned to France. Their son Carlos was born in Strasbourg. When his studies concluded in 1972, the family moved to Columbia, SC, close to Sarah’s family, where they lived for 44 years and raised Carlos, Miriam, Rachel and Carmen. More recently, he and Sarah moved to Durham, NC, to be close to Carmen’s family.
Flaminio was always a hard worker who never complained about life or about his job. He faced life square-on and had no regrets. Recently his health was very challenging but he accepted his limitations and died with dignity.
His greatest joys in life revolved around his children and grandchildren. He was also a leader in his family in Paraguay, taking care of their needs. In retirement, he was able to purchase a home in Paraguay where he spent several months a year.
The author Emily Raboteau in her book “Searching for Zion” reported that a woman from Ghana, upon finding out that she had no children, asked her, “Who will inherit you when you die?” Flaminio Sanchez felt very peaceful and proud about those who inherited him.
m. at the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road, Durham, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford Attn: Finance 520 Sand Hill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304
