Frank Raymond Sanchez

Frank R. Sanchez, 61, died at home in Upton, MA, on November 23, 2025, with his family by his side. The cause of death was glioblastoma, a devastating diagnosis which Frank managed with tremendous grace and humor. Frank leaves behind his wife of eighteen years, Sabrina Yvette (Barkdull) Sanchez, and their children, Patriquin N. Sanchez and Harriet J. Sanchez.

Frank was born in Milford, MA, the son of Raymond Sanchez and the late Harriet C. (Patriquin) Sanchez. He attended Bellingham public schools and graduated UMass Amherst, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1989. After graduating, he became a social service provider, specializing in therapeutic work with individuals with behavioral and mental health issues. Frank then went on to have a long career as a specialist tea taster and purveyor, procuring teas from India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, and many more points far and wide. He loved Japanese green teas and fine assam teas. Prior to his diagnosis, Frank worked as a reporter and advocate on behalf of elder abuse and neglect services at UHealth Solutions.

Frank first engaged with Buddhist meditation as a young adult, a practice he continued throughout his life. His focus on mindfulness and loving-kindness helped him live with terminal cancer and approach his death with intentionality, insight, and candor. He took great care to express his abiding love and appreciation for his family and friends. He shared the depth of his sorrow about not growing old with Sabrina and not being present to celebrate future life milestones with Patriquin and Harriet. He made space for others to laugh and to grieve with him.

Frank loved practicing tai chi and engaging with the natural world. He especially treasured spending time at the family cottage on Buttermilk Bay near Cape Cod. He believed in the power of community and was compassionate and generous in giving of himself to others. He was a member of the National Hypnosis Society and, like his father before him, was a Mason.

In addition to Sabrina, Patriquin, and Harriet, Frank is survived by his father, Raymond; his four siblings, Elizabeth Bertini-Franseen of Gill, MA, Lynn E. Hemenway of North Smithfield, RI, Janet R. Burke of North Attleboro, MA, and Anita Cassidy and her husband Brian Cassidy of Millis, MA; his sisters-in-law: Athena Rouse and Keyna Lind, both of Indiana; his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and a host of dear friends.

The family extends deep gratitude and appreciation to the cancer specialists, surgeons, infusion therapists, palliative care providers and other medical teams at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham & Women’s Hospital both of Boston who treated Frank with such skill and compassion over the past two years.

In accordance with Frank’s wishes, his body has been cremated. The family will arrange a private memorial in December and community gathering after the holidays. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA.                                                      

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