Brian Vincent Sanchez

Brian Sanchez, son of Severo Francis Sanchez and Rosie Sanchez, will always be remembered as a loveable and playful soul, with a sensitive and serious side. The Sanchez family first met him when his father brought him to California; he was eight years old and he lit up our lives. Memories abound of him traveling with his father from Seattle Washington where he was born, to San Bernardino, California where he was first introduced to his father’s large family of eleven children.

He was born and baptized Brian Vincent Sanchez, June 11, 1968, in Seattle; and died May 30, 2023, in Washington at age 54.

Brian is most remembered fondly by his cousins as a kind and obedient school-age boy. Serena Walsh remembers him as “a super-cute and happy little guy.” He had a special talent singing with his dad and the rest of the Sanchez family, songs like “California Dreamin’” a hit of the day that they recorded together to welcome him to San Bernardino, along with other folk songs of the era.

Brian is predeceased by his mother, Rosie; his father, Severo, who passed away after him in December 2023, his grandparents, Leo and Maxine Sanchez, and three cousins, Aaron Mikkelson, Cynthia Zanone Hasenberg, and Paul Zanone. He is survived by four aunts, Josephine Zanone, the eldest; Rita Sanchez Griswold, Angelica

Stinnett, Emily Sanchez, the youngest, and twenty-seven cousins: Monica Havins, Regina Mountain, Richard Zanone, Charles Zanone; Serena Walsh and Joanna Reindel. Lisa La Rossa, Teyana Viscarra, Lucia Gonzales, and Pablo Acevedo; Joseph Sanchez, John Sanchez, Margaret Godoy, Marie Chatterton, Jude Sanchez, and Nick Sanchez; Tom Bennett, Greg Bennett, Christopher Stinnett; Alisha Mikkelson, Clare Tan, Blaise Mikkelson, Nathan Mikkelson, and Gabriel Mikkelson.

Memories mostly come from the 1970s when father and son were hardly ever without a guitar in their hands. Brian’s sense of humor glowed but he also had a shy and sensitive spirit. His father once caused Brian a little anguish when he announced in front of him to his aunt Rita that “Brian has a crush on you.” Brian blushed. He was fun and funny, but also very sensitive.

For Brian, the move from Washington was not so easy as he left behind his mother and three siblings. In California, his cousins remember him fondly. Family photos picture that lighter side of him. In one of them he is gleefully rubbing shaving cream all over his face. In another, he is smiling and waving from a boat ride at Seattle Center, and posing with his dad in front of a water fountain, a gleaming rainbow in the background. In the last photo, it looks as if he were engaged in a serious

conversation with his Uncle Bob Ybarra, who paid him close attention.

One cousin remembers Brian being unfairly criticized for an art piece he was working on. Pablo Acevedo recalls that Brian got his feelings hurt and started to cry. Soon after, his father thought Brian would do better in Seattle, and so they moved back to the northcoast. His grandparents Leo and Maxie Sanchez offered to enroll Brian in Catholic School, but Severo declined their offer.

His Aunt Angelica remembers that “Brian and his dad were devoted Seattle Mariners fans. Brian especially loved going to the games with Severo. He loved wearing Mariners caps and shirts, so it was easy to gift him on his birthdays.” She also recalls how much he loved music and “you hardly ever saw him without his Boombox.” But it was the Mariners games that Brian loved and looked forward to spending time with his dad, well into adulthood.

In 2020 Brian was diagnosed with a serious kidney malfunction, and remained on life support for months. His Aunt Josephine Zanone recalls that “Severo never left his son’s side,” He was always advocating to keep him on life support. Sadly, Brian remained bedridden for the remainder of his life. When he died, his father preserved his ashes so they could be buried together someday.

Father and son will be celebrated together Tuesday, March 19, starting at St. George Catholic Church, 17895 San Bernardino Avenue, Fontana, California with a Rosary at 10 A.M., followed by Mass at 10:30 A.M. Severo and Brian Sanchez will be laid to rest together, at Green Acres Memorial Park and Mortuary, 11715 Cedar Avenue; Bloomington, California. Reception back at St. George,12 Noon in the parish conference room (far left).