From Sonia 5/9/08

Hello to you all. For those who are interested, I am Sonia Sanchez-Ruffini.I am the third child born to Harold Sanchez, Sr. and Felicita Varela deSanchez. Of course you know my father Harold is the son of Emilio SanchezFeliciano and Carmela Sanchez of Aguada P.R. who came to New York in theearly 1930's. My father Harold was born in New York (Bronx), in 1932 andmove back to Aguada Puerto Rico six months later claiming that his parentsmissed the intimacy of living in a small town. Harold is also known as Raulwhich is what many people call him; infact no one in Puerto Rico calls himHarold, they all know him as Raul. There is a funny story behind his birthname. He claims that when he was born, the hospital staff in New York wasonly English speaking and misunderstood his mother when she said the namefor her son was to be Raul. Harold said the nurse took it upon herself towrite in the name on the birth certificate. No one ever checked thecertificate, and when they went back to Puerto Rico they discovered thatRaul was not written on the document. They would have to go back to New Yorkto dispute it and felt it was not worth the trouble, thus Raul was legallyHarold! Although you may say dad is 1st generation, really he is not. Hetotally considers himself a native Puerto Rican. Dad kept his connectionswith New York through his uncle Tonito who often came to Puerto Rico tovisit his brother Emilio (dad's father). Tio (I called him Tio because thatis what dad called him.) Tio finally convinced dad to move to New York. Soin 1952 dad packed his few belongings and headed to the big apple. The firstthree years he lived with Fernando Sanchez, and then Tio bought a multipledwelling in Brooklyn and asked my father to move in. It was there that mydad met Felicita Varela who was living across the street with her olderbrother Felix Varela. Felicita was living with her brother for a while, butwhen her brother got wind that Raul was courting her, he was opposed. Hetold Felicita that she had to go back to Puerto Rico because he wanted noresponsibility for this courtship. Tio insisted that dad make a move beforeshe was sent back, so he did. A few days before her departure, Raulproposed to Felicita giving her an engagement ring just outside herapartment. Felicita said yes. Felicita went back to Guaynabo, Puerto Ricoand announced her engagement to her parents Ines and Andres Varela, and toher eight brothers and four sisters! They honeymooned in Guajataca PuertoRico and were back in Brooklyn within days. They continued to live with Tioand a year later their first born Milton was born followed by Nivia. Shortlyafter Nivia's birth they moved into their own place near Tio. Together theyhad five children: Milton, Nivia, Sonia, Juny (Harold Jr.), and Ines.Tragically Milton Sanchez died in 1983 while working with the Brooklyn UnionGas Company. He was hit by a car. Today the Sanchez family is in closeproximity of each other. Mom and dad live with Ines and her husband Ken whowho have two sons, Kenny and Jamie Cavanagh. They have a lovelymother/daughter home in South Plainfield New Jersey. Nivia came to live withme in Tenafly, New Jersey and is now living alone just down the street in anapartment, and Juny is still in Sunset Park Brooklyn. He has two daughters,Jessica and Nadine, and another daughter on the way, (due date in July). Asfor me and my husband Mel, together we have two daughters, Chelsea age 13and Renee age 11. I hope everyone is well. It was great seeing Al, Auraand Virginia at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. I do talk with Raqueloccasionally; I know her kids are doing great. I would love to hear fromany Sanchez willing to re-connect. Love to you all.Sonia Sanchez-Ruffini