* Joseph Sanchez; Retired Mason, WWII Veteran

Joseph Munoz “The Duke” Sanchez, a retired mason, died Sunday at his home in Ventura. He was 86.

He was born June 30, 1914, in Oxnard, the eldest son of Frederico and Eulalia Sanchez. Raised in Camarillo, he attended school until the sixth grade.

After leaving school he began working at many jobs and when he was still very young became a cement mason.

Sanchez, according to his son Joe, was an outstanding baseball player. He caught the attention of professional scouts and was asked to play for the Chicago White Sox but instead volunteered for the Army to serve in World War II.

He was a highly decorated combat veteran who was a mortar platoon staff sergeant and forward observer for a heavy weapons company. He saw action in North Africa and at the Anzio beachhead in Italy. By the end of the war, he was fighting in the Italian Alps.

After the war he married Vivian Theresa Hinostro and the couple settled in Ventura.

Sanchez played on several semipro baseball teams, including the Camarillo Merchants. Throughout the years, he was an avid L.A. Dodgers fan.

Although his first love was baseball, his son said golf became his passion. He played for a local golf team, the “El Rancheros,” and served as a local course marshal on the Senior PGA Tour. He was also a seasoned scratch golfer.

Sanchez rose to the rank of Third Degree in the Knights of Columbus and was an usher at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Using his construction skills and with the help of friends and donations, he helped build the Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura, the convent and St. Bonaventure High School.

After he retired, he spent time with his family and traveled. He also enjoyed his hobby of searching garage sales.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by daughter Jolene; sisters Pina Castro, Mary Valdez, Paula Salazara and Louisa Rodriguez; and four grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. A Rosary recitation will be at 7 p.m. with Msgr. Donald Mulcahy officiating.

A funeral Mass is scheduled at 9 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura followed by interment at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. A reception will follow at the Assumption parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Father Michael Jennett, Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 3175 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.