Gali Sanchez

On Sunday, September 16, 2018 Gali Sanchez, a resident of Front Royal, Virginia, passed into spirit after an 19 year battle against prostate cancer. He was 66 years old.

Gali was born December 14, 1951, in Washington DC to M.Gali and Reland Sanchez. He grew up mostly in Maryland, but also Mexico City. He graduated from Severna Park High School in 1970 and Washington College in 1974.

Throughout his adult life Gali saw himself as a teacher who lived an adventure. As a Latin Percussionist, he toured as a member of the band “SANTANA”, and also performed with Steve Winwood, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews Band, and other nationally renowned music groups. For three years he worked at TSR as a game designer for Dungeons & Dragons. He served as a bilingual counselor for Chicano communities in the Midwest. Gali was a member of the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee, working directly with civil rights icon Cesar Chavez. For a year he served as a cultural consultant for the Baltimore Orioles. Gali was involved with advertising agencies as a soccer expert, and played friendly soccer with the legendary Pelé. For the last 18 years he lived in the Front Royal community teaching at Warren County Middle School and Wakefield Country Day School. He was Warren County HS Coach of the Year and the Delany Valley Conference Coach of the Year at WCDS as varsity soccer coach. He was a fanatical follower of FC Barcelona.

Gali was a member of The Abenaki Nation of New Hampshire Native American Tribe and First Nations of Canada Mètis Abénaquis de l’Oeste. He was Sokoki Band and Turtle Clan.

Sanchez also volunteered in the community, translating for law enforcement, courts and schools. He spoke five languages. Gali was a traditional teacher and counselor for Pathkeepers Native Youth Leadership Camp since its inception, and spoke across the country on Native American issues. He worked hard to eliminate Native American sports mascots.

Gali is survived by his companion Morning Star Dick, his mother, Reland Sanchez (Bassette), daughter Emmy Gutierrez, two grandchildren, Noelia Yelixa and Emanuel, brothers Paul, Ralph, Wayne Sanchez, and sister Laura (Happel) as well as Lisa Little Wolf and Rhonda Besaw.

A non denominational gathering will take place at Maddox Funeral Home, Front Royal, VA Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 12:00 PM where people can pay their respects. A reception will follow at Reager School near Flint Hill. Later, his remains will travel to New Hampshire for a traditional Abenaki Native burial ceremony on the banks of the Connecticut River where Gali will begin his journey home.

In lieu of flowers, Gali’s request was to send donations in his name to N’Dakinna, Inc., in care of Alice Stevens, P.O. Box 293, Union, New Hampshire 03887; a tax exempt charity supporting Abenaki Elders in need of assistance with winter fuel, food, or emergency expenses.

  8 comments for “Gali Sanchez

  1. MorningStar
    September 20, 2018 at 4:35 am

    I love you, i am thankful you have crossed my path for 3 years, we talked full of heart filled words eye to eye before i left and shared good words. You was my love till death due us part as i tell you I am with you till the end. The song you dedicated to me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y7zrudDdx8 Malo-Suavecito
    As you promise you would meet me up there. I will not say your name due to respect for one year. I will seek the Dog star to find you my love.

  2. Duke & Cathy Bendix
    September 20, 2018 at 5:31 pm

    Cathy and I were privileged and blessed to have had time to share with Gali over the past months. His heart to serve and care for others was always central for him. For our part, we were grateful for the opportunity to serve him and to offer the support and encouragement that we could. We entrust him into God’s hands and we pray for the Holy Spirit’s comfort to be extended to Aunt Reland and the broader family of siblings, cousins, Native American relations and friends. He will be missed.

  3. Abby Miller
    September 20, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    I’ve only met you once but it felt like I knew you. You gave me perspective and taught me a lesson about my faith that I will never forget. I love and miss you Gali❤️

  4. Donna L Fann-Boyle
    September 21, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    My Brother, Adviser, and friend thank you for being a shoulder to lean on and a voice of reason. I will think of you often, till we meet again.

  5. Lisa little wolf
    October 15, 2018 at 12:00 am

    My wonderful Brother. There are no words for what you have meant to me. You were so proud of the idea that you would become an ancestor, and now you have arrived in creators hands. I will see you on Sirus.

  6. Teresa Carpenter
    January 14, 2019 at 7:23 am

    I’m so sadden to be learning this news at such a late date. Gali was a true friend and I will deeply miss being able to talk with him when ever needed. I remember it was quite sometime before it dawned on me about his musical career. He laughed at me or with me. I was so happy to learn of Morning Star entering his life. I could see from the pictures and things he shared with me what a true blessing she was to him. I will miss you..

    • Andrew Schaus
      December 28, 2021 at 5:33 am

      I am sorry I didn’t get one last chance to say goodbye. I still regret it. You are still thought of 3 years later. Thank you for everything.

  7. Mary Babington
    July 2, 2023 at 11:04 pm

    Thank you Gali for sharing your joy, kindness, love of life, music and soccer. You, Wayne, your mom and dad meant so very much to me at a critical time in my life. The gift of your spirit lives on eternally! Though I never got to tell you in person, I am humbled and grateful for those long ago sunny days on the pitch at Spalding and on the fields of Kinder Park. You gave support and encouragement to an awkward teenager, who had more heart than talent. You and Wayne were the big brothers I didn’t have but needed. When I couldn’t see a future ahead, I didn’t quit. More than you will ever know, it came down to the encouragement I received from you and Wayne. Because you believed in me, I pushed on and went farther than I could dreamed. Thank you for all that you gave to this life, and until we all meet again, may you continue playing along to the rhythm of the universe!

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