Prisciliano Ovando Sanchez was born in the small town of Tepuxtepec, Michoacan, Mexico, on November 24, 1922. Amidst a world of wars, the great depression, and dreams of grandeur, he decided to leave his most beloved mother Antonia in 1943 for a life of opportunity in the United States. Little did he know that he would soon meet a fair skinned beauty in Gilroy that would capture his heart for over five decades a few short years later. He entered into eternal rest on Sunday, June 11, 2007 after a courageous battle with Lymphoma. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. Prisciliano, or Pete to those who knew him, was a retired mechanic of 20 years at Gilroy Foods, and a member of the Teamsters Union, local #890.
His blessings in life were many, and he was happiest and most proud of his family. Prisciliano is survived by his wife, and true love, Josephine of 58 years whom he married on April 22, 1949 in Gilroy. He also leaves behind five loving children, Magdalena Sanchez and husband Danny Valedor of Gilroy, Priscilla Cardoza and her husband Jose of Modesto, Richard Sanchez and his wife Hilda of Gilroy, Josephine Viveros and her husband Salvador of Los Banos, Rueben Sanchez of Gilroy, and a beloved nephew Sebastian Sanchez and his wife Terry of Morgan Hill. He was a proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren: Serafin Castro, Jr., Salvador Viveros, Jr., Veronica Castro, Albert Cardoza, Erasmo Viveros, Priscilla Cardoza, Esperanza Sanchez, and Josie Sanchez; and a loving great-grandfather to 4 great-grandchildren: Angel Pena, Myriah Ortiz, Serafin Castro, III, Anneliese Marquez, and he will especially be missed by his faithful little dog, Mugsy. The family extends an open invitation to all those who have been touched by his gentle words to join them in celebrating the life of Priciliano. In the immortal words of this great man, “…life is a beautiful!” Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at the Habing Family Funeral Home on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 10 A.M. Interment will follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery.
