The following release has been issued by the office of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. All of us here at the Orange Juice blog offer our sincere condolences to the Congresswoman and her family at this time of loss in their family. Please read the release below. There is an opportunity to make a donation to a number of local charities and non-profit organizations in the name of the departed.
Dear Friends of the Sanchez Family:
It is with a heavy heart that we let you know that our oldest brother Henry and his girlfriend Penny were involved in a boating accident off the coast of San Pedro Wednesday shortly after midnight. The coast guard found the wreckage of the boat and debris from the boat but have not recovered any survivors or bodies. It was determined that shortly after midnight there was a collision with a barge that was being towed by a tug boat into shore. It is unlikely that Henry and Penny survived the impact but if they had been thrown from the boat into the water the time of survival has now passed.
We want to thank those of you that have prayed for us during this difficult time. We ask that you continue to pray for not only Henry and Penny but for our family and Penny’s family as we continue to grieve our loss.
In a celebration of Henry’s life, we are planning a memorial mass for this Friday, October 10th at 10:00am at St Anthony Claret which is located at 1450 E. La Palma Avenue in Anaheim.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Henry’s name to one of the following charities:
Alzheimer Association of Orange County
Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
May god bless you all.
Loretta, Frank, Martha, Iggy, Linda & Mike Sanchez
RAUL LUNA
District Director
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
I am sorry that people have to be so inconsiderate and post comments like the one above.
I didn’t personally know Henry, however, I do know his sister Martha through our children. I am truly sorry for your loss.
May God Bless You.
I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t know the boaters nor their family; I’m the boater that found and reported the debris field. I searched the wreckage while calling it in and left once I heard the helicopter flying overhead. In retrospect I feel I should have continued searching, but at the time the coast guard indicated they didn’t need my help.
Oscar,
On behalf of all of us, thank you for your efforts.
Don’t second guess what should have or could have been done.
I was saddened to read the news of Henry’s boating accident. I knew Henry and his family quite well back in the 70’s. Over the last few days I have reflected on some of the adventures we experienced. We certainly had a lot of fun back then.
Henry’s spirit lives strong in my heart.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Nat
I am Penny’s neice and thank you to Oscar from all of our family. We will pray for you. Please do not blame your self, I do not know that there would have been anything that you could have done but once again THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for what you did do. May God Bless you and you’r family.
To Henry’s family I am very sorry I will keep you all in my prayers.
Barb Fleming,Jolnda Keesling,Almeta Moorman,Justin Moorman,Richard Moorman, and all the Family left here in Kansas
It’s 5 months later and I’m still laughing my butt off at their accident. Both Henry and Penny conducted themselves unethically. If there was ever a case of poetic justice, this was it!! The world is a better place without scum like them.
6 = Fred Phelps wanna be. Why all the hate?
I was looking for Penny Avila for real estate assistance. I wanted her to know I lost my “Beloved Babe” George… Penny helped me purchase my 1st home in LB, CA in 1997. I called on her 6 years later and she sold the same home for me the same day. This saddens me to hear of her passing. I remember Henry. They had just started dating back in 2003. I was looking to call on her for assistance again. My prayers are years late for her and Henry. I have much love and respect for Penny… She was a go getter and was always fair to me. RIP Penny Avila and Henry. I hope my George finds you in heaven…