DOWNEY – Tobias Sanchez, born in Belen, New Mexico to Macedonio and Clara Sanchez on June 19, 1923, passed away July 1. He was one of 12 siblings, all of whom were raised on the family farm in Belen. 

As a young man, he left for California and joined the Navy, where he was a landing boat driver in World War II. He served in Tarawa on the USS Feland, and was honorably discharged after receiving an injury during combat.

In 1953 he married Vera Alice Newey, from Ogden, UT, in Huntington Park and they made their home in Downey. While raising their two children, Toby worked as an automobile insurance adjuster. In later years, he moved back to his family home in Belen.

Toby enjoyed restoring old cars, bowling, dancing with Vera Alice, and going for early coffee with the other old guys at McDonald’s.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Vera Alice, and several of his siblings. He is survived by his son, Terry, and daughter-in- law Nancy; his daughter, Karen Montgomery and her husband Terry; and three grandchildren: Geoffrey Sanchez, Kathryn Sanchez, and Tobias Washburn. He is also survived by two of his siblings, brother Elfigo Ramon (Ray) Sanchez of Las Chavez, NM, and sister Lucy McClain of Guthrie, OK.

Services to be held on July 22, 10 a.m. Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, 101-A North 10 th St., Belen