AGAWAM – On Tuesday, December 19, 2017, Napoleon Neptali Sanchez passed away quietly, surrounded and held by his loving family, after a brief battle with cancer. Napoleon was born July 5, 1942, the third of seven children to Julio Cesar Sanchez and Juanita Urbina Ruiz in the poor mountain village of Ambatillo, Ecuador. Despite his impoverished life, he excelled at his studies and at age 20 was awarded a one year scholarship to the prestigious Cornwall Academy in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. There he learned English and was so academically successful, his professors encouraged him to remain in the United States and further his education. Napoleon enrolled in Berkshire Community College, while working odd jobs to support himself. At college, he met the love of his life, Dorothy P. Cahill, whom he married on June 24, 1967. Napoleon obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and worked as a Professor of Languages & Literature in the Department of Foreign Languages at Westfield State University, retiring in 2007 after 37 years. Napoleon also worked for 20 years as a Certified Language Tester for Language Testing International. After retirement, he and Dorothy traveled the world and spent summers at their vacation home in Rockport, Massachusetts. Despite his many accomplishments in life, his greatest was his family. Napoleon cherished his children and grandchildren, often proclaiming when everyone was gathered around the table, how proud he was and that family was all he wanted in life. Sadly Napoleon departed this life too soon, leaving behind his beloved wife of 50 years, Dorothy, his son, Christopher Napoleon and wife Deborah; his daughter, Cristina Marie Sanchez and her husband Aaron Coon and his two precious grandsons, Christian Ryan Adam Sanchez and Aden Ryan Coon. He also leaves behind his brothers, Rodrigo & Galo; his sisters, Maria, Gely & Blanca, all of Ecuador along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Romulo. Calling hours will be Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 4 – 7pm, with a Celebration of Life service at 6pm, at Colonial Forastiere Funeral & Cremation on 985 Main Street in Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute or Boston Children’s Hospital.
