Matthew Francis Sanchez

August 22, 1959 - August 8, 2012 Matthew F. Sanchez (Matt) was born August 22, 1959 in Lynwood, CA. He moved to Santa Barbara with his family in 1964 where he attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Bishop Diego Garcia High. In 1977 he became a proud Marine, serving his country for four years. With a foundation of strong character attributes sharpened by proud parents and supportive family Matt was a natural leader. He taught us, "It's not blood, but rather love that binds us together." No matter what the connection - Matt, honey, dad, grandpa, son, uncle, compa, brother, friend - he sealed it with love and commitment, and once that connection was made it was hard to break. He was the epitome of the God kind of love; from the beginning it was in him. Though embattled by hard knocks along the way, his heart always guided him. Matt would look you in the eye, ask you your name and never forget it. For young and old, across racial, social and economical lines, he made you feel like he was one of your best friends. There are so many that were positively influenced by Matt, be they family, friend or a young person he'd just met. Matt poured himself out to so many and never considered it time wasted. He believed in positive human potential and that no one was without it. His humor permeated the atmosphere in his home away from home, the Montecito Barber Shop where he interacted with friends others might call customers, touching young, old, and even passersby. It was not uncommon for folks to pass by for just a glimpse of that smile and to share a hello to brighten up their day. Matt embodied the gifts of life and love. His friend Jim Lichtman recently ended his monthly ethics blog with this question: "What are the better angels of our nature, and how can each of us more ably demonstrate their spirit?" The better angels of Matt's nature are demonstrated by the love and influence he and his partner Dawn have instilled in their family, and by the time Matt readily gave to help those he met. It's remembered in the effort he gave to make you laugh and smile. And in the time and many ways he ministered to the needs of others at the expense of his own . . . early wake ups, a multitude of phone calls, emails and texting, writing and sending letters, and face to face visits to motivate and encourage positive change. His walk of life was met with challenges and frustration along the way but ultimately he found peace - year by year, day by day, hour by hour, step by step. He discovered peace and shared it liberally. His joy was in sharing it, to his last breath, letting us all know he made it to a place of ultimate peace. Rest in peace beloved! We will miss you tremendously and we are stronger because of you. Thank you for teaching us the meaning of love. We love you, and we will forever love each other more because of you. Matt leaves us with the gifts of his wife Dawn; children Joshua (Monica), Adriana (Alex), Manuel (Priscila), Matt (Leah), Amber, Tim (Lauren), Daniel (Sarah), and Elijah; and grandchildren Arianna, Joshua, Leilani, Brianna, Selena, AJ, Isabella, Athaliah, and Lilly. Also surviving him are his parents Sally and Bob Sanchez and siblings Antoinette (Richard), James (Tanya), Renee, Tim, and Karen (Luc), and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles, aunts and friends. Matt was predeceased by his brother Keith. There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate his life and legacy on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Granada Theatre, at 1:00PM. Contributions to support the family can be made to the "Matthew Sanchez Memorial Fund" at Montecito Bank and Trust. His legacy will live on through AllforOne Youth and Mentoring, the organization he founded. Please take some time to visit the website and register your comments of support for continuation of his vision for peace. Website link: http://allforonesb.org/