In Loving Memory of Benjamin "Benji" Sanchez

Benjamin "Benji" Sanchez passed away peacefully at his home on July 20, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and grandfather whose love, strength, and kindness will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Benji was a beautiful person, both inside and out, with a personality that could light up any room. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome, and his laughter, stories, and sense of humor will never be forgotten.

Benji's greatest love was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Debra Ann "Debbie" Sanchez, and together they built a lifetime of love, laughter, and cherished memories. His family was his pride and joy, and there was nothing he treasured more than spending time with those he loved.

One of Benji's greatest passions was fishing. Whether he was out on the water or sharing stories from his many adventures, fishing brought him peace and happiness. His dream catch was always a "wasa," or grouper, and he loved telling stories about the giant groupers he had caught – or the ones that got away. His stories will forever bring smiles to those who had the pleasure of hearing them.

Benji also had a deep love for oldies music, classic antique cars, and especially his treasured 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, affectionately known as "Crystal Blue Persuasion." He loved cooking for his family, and no gathering felt complete without his famous Puerto Rican pasteles – a recipe that became a family favorite and one everyone looked forward to enjoying together.

Benji dedicated many years of his life to Monroe County BOCC, where he faithfully served until his retirement. He genuinely enjoyed his work and took great pride in the relationships he built along the way. His coworkers became like family, and the friendships he formed were among the many blessings he cherished throughout his life. The memories they created together remained close to his heart, and he often spoke of them with gratitude and affection.

Benji is lovingly survived by his devoted wife, Debra Ann "Debbie" Sanchez; his children, Antonio “Tony” Sanchez (Sara Sanchez), Angelica Orlando-Sanchez (Cesar Orlando), and Francisco "Cisco" Sanchez (Stephanie Sanchez); his beloved grandchildren, Izaiah Sanchez, Fernando Diaz, Jalyssa Sanchez, Johncarlos Sanchez, Noah Sanchez, Armando "AJ" Sanchez, Giovanni Orlando, Gabriela Sanchez, and Arianni Orlando; his brother, Orlando Sanchez; his sisters, Brenda Ferrer and Carmen “Tita” Carpenter; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, lifelong friends, and all whose lives were touched by his kindness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicolas Sanchez and Andrea Caban; and his brothers, Samuel Sanchez and Eddie Sanchez.

Benji will be remembered for his generous heart, incredible strength, unwavering devotion to his family, and the joy he found with a fishing rod in his hands. His legacy lives on through the love he shared, the commitment he showed as a devoted husband and father, the values and wisdom he passed on, and the countless memories his family and friends will cherish forever.

Though he will be deeply missed, his love will continue to guide those he leaves behind. May he rest in eternal peace, knowing he was deeply loved and will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 15, 2026, at Truman Waterfront Park. Family and friends are invited to join us as we celebrate Benji's beautiful life and the countless memories he shared with all who knew and loved him.

We will honor his memory the way he would have wanted – surrounded by family and friends, sharing stories, listening to oldies music, fishing in one of his favorite spots, and spending time together reflecting on the many cherished moments he gave us. We welcome everyone whose life was touched by Benji to join us as we celebrate a life well lived, a man deeply loved, and a legacy that will live on in our hearts forever.

We are currently finalizing the details for the celebration. Additional information, including the time, schedule, and any updates, will be shared on our family's social media pages as it becomes available.