Eloy Sanchez, Sr.

Eloy Sanchez Sr., a teacher to hundreds of children -- returned back to our Heavenly Father, on April 10, 2021, at the Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland, Florida, surrounded by his wife and 4 children. He was 87 years old.

Born on December 1, 1933, in Tampa, Florida, to Julio and Luz Maria Sanchez. He attended the University of Tampa and became an elementary school teacher for the next 38 years, teaching in Tampa, Florida and SLC, Utah. After his retirement, he then substituted in Lake and Pasco County. While in SLC, Utah, Eloy and Alice ran and owned a child daycare, with 72 children, called Alice's Wonderland. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was drafted in the Army, in 1952 and served in the states for 4 years. He enjoyed drawing, fishing, crabbing, watching football and many other sports, and being silly with the grandchildren, always singing to them Happy Birthday in Spanish. He did many community services with his wife. Eloy loved to read his scriptures and write in his journals about his family. He loved his dogs Shazam and Ralphie.

He is survived by is wife of 58 years, Alice Lopez, married on December 24, 1962 in Tampa, Florida. Together, they raised their 4 children: Delina Bair, Eloy Sanchez Jr, Marcelino (Mary) Sanchez, Savino (Julie) Sanchez. Grandchildren: Brittany (Robert) Sizemore, Brandy (Kyle) Aldridge, V'Loy (Joanna) Sanchez, Nicolas (Kendall) Sanchez, Breanne (Nickolus) Kuklok, Justin (Tonya) Sanchez, Charlana Sanchez, Daisha and Noah Bair. Great Grandchildren: Aidan, Alyvia, Aaron, Autumn, Freya, Cian, Donny, and Marcelino. His brother Charles Sanchez, sister-in-law, Rossie Sanchez, brother-in-law Arturo Fuente, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Granddaughter Sabrina Sanchez. Sisters: Lucy (Wilfred) Diaz, Julia (Andrew) Priede, Estella Fuente, Margaret Sanchez. Brothers: Julio (Genevieve) Sanchez, Jesus Sanchez, Joseph Sanchez, and Sister-in-law Josephine Sanchez.

In lieu of flowers, the Sanchez Family would like donations made to the Good Shepard Hospice located at 3450 Lakeland  Hills Blvd, Lakeland, Florida, 33805. The viewing will be for immediate family only, due to the COVID virus. A later service will be announced for extended family and friends. 

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