Gregorio C. Sandate

Gregorio C. Sandate, 80, of Topeka, died March 6, 2014 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on February 18, 1934, in Terlingua, Texas, one of eleven children to Herculano and Lucia (Castro) Sandate. Greg was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base. After his service with the Air Force, he also lived and worked in Arizona, and he completed his Barber College in Tucson. He returned to Topeka and worked at the base as a barber for several years before going to work at Country Club Barbers. In 1978, he started Alcapulco Plaza Barbers with his business partner Kenneth Lauber. They were very successful and remained in business over 40 years. He married Ernestine Gomez at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on July 20, 1957 in Topeka. As a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, he was active in serving and volunteering for the annual Fiesta Mexicana. He especially loved spending time with family, traveling the United States and around the world. Greg spent much of his spare time lending a helping hand to others with home repairs or lawn care assistance. He instilled in his children the importance and value of faith, education, and serving others. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at the Marian Clinic as a translator, and he also volunteered his talent as a barber for many nursing homes and hospitals in the Topeka area. He and Ernestine continued their education perfecting their Spanish so they could assist others in the community with translation. Greg was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Nate Morales council #11777. He is survived by his wife Ernestine, children, Henry Sandate of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Edward (Cathy) Sandate of Wichita, Kansas, and Nancy (Benjamin) Craney of Tucson, Arizona, grandchildren, Alexander Sandate, Natalie Lima, Raquel Craney, Allison Sandate, Thomas Sandate, and Greg D. Sandate, two great grandchildren, Dali Sandate and Ayala Lima, three brothers, Gabino of Tucson, Joe and Frank Sandate, two sisters Mary Louise Vasquez and Olivia Rhinehart all of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Manuel, Jesus, Amelia, Lupe, and Mary Helen. Gregorio will lie in state after 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a parish rosary at 6:00 p.m., followed by a rosary by the Knights of Columbus at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Cremation will follow the mass. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.