Wilfredo "Freddy" Sánchez, age 60, of Gary passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022.  He was born in Gary, Indiana in the backseat of a 1957 Chevy on April 9, 1961 to Tomas and Maria (nee Miranda) Sánchez.

Freddy was a unique, interesting, one-of-a-kind man. If you met Freddy, you never forgot him.  He was authentic, genuine and always himself; he didn't care what anyone thought of him. Freddy always lived every day to the fullest, never worrying about tomorrow.  He took every opportunity to make someone laugh - no matter what, even when you didn't want to, he could always make you smile.  He told mostly inappropriate jokes, but that was just Freddy – always, unapologetically Freddy.

He loved his family and wanted everyone to feel special. His greatest source of happiness was his 9 children and 8 grandchildren.  Freddy was a Boricua, proud of his Puerto Rican roots, and tried to pass down his culture and wisdom to his children the best he knew how. He always wanted to gift things to remember him by, and those gifts will forever be cherished. Education was important to him, and he instilled that in his children. He was adamant about creating memories with those he loved, and he was sure to document with pictures and videos. He was a numbers person and took pride in the fact that he always remembered everyone's birthday. He could tell a story like no other - incredible, unbelievable stories that while maybe a little embellished, were mostly true.

His life could be summed up as a wild roller-coaster ride, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Maria Miranda; children, Elisa Sánchez, Maria Sánchez, Angelica Sánchez, Wilfredo Sánchez Jr., Niko Yates (Christopher Puckett), Jeremy Velez, Jordan Velez, Isabella Sánchez, Katelyn Wireman; grandchildren, Madeline Rivera, Angelise Gonzalez, Miguelangel Gonzalez, Julisa Miranda Sánchez, Princeton Yates-Puckett, Evie Puckett, Ronin Puckett, Nayeli Gutierrez; siblings, Noida, Tomas Jr., Margarita, Sunnie, Brunie, Robert, Rudy, Nadia, Jaime, Noelia, Amelia; and many, many beloved cousins, family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tomas Sánchez, and aunt, Virgen Mina Miranda.

Visitation and a funeral service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel, 3781 Central Ave. Lake Station, IN 46405.  Visitation will take place prior to the service from 3-5 pm. Service will be at 5:00 pm. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com .  For more information, please call 219-962-1606.

Memorial contributions may be made at www.gofund.me/b5d6271d or made payable to Nicole Yates, to be shared with the Sánchez family.