Obituary of Jesus Aquino Santos

By Staten Island Advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Jesus A. Santos entered eternal life peacefully in his home on January 9, 2021, in the loving care of his wife of 57 years, Narcy Santos, their three daughters, their husbands, and nine grandchildren. He was 80 years old. The West Brighton resident, affectionately known to many as “Jess,” was well-loved for his disarming sense of humor, kindness, humility, and lifelong devotion to his family. He was a devout parishioner of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, where he attended Mass daily after his retirement in 2005. The youngest of six children born to Cornelio and Consuelo Santos of Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines, Mr. Santos is a graduate of Pedro Guevara High School and earned his B.A. in accounting from the former Jose Rizal College in Mandaluyong City, Manila. He met his future wife, the former Narcisa Fernandez of San Miguel, Bulacan in 1958, when he was just 18 years and she 20, when they began a friendship as pen pals, serendipitously matched by a pen pal program sponsored by the Manila Chronicles, one of the largest newspapers in the Philippines. For over six years, Mr. and Mrs. Santos exchanged hundreds of letters — which turned into tender love letters after just two years’ of sharing their ambitious hopes and dreams for the future — which continued after meeting in person and falling madly in love. Their romantic courtship flourished despite the long distance between them and the couple finally eloped on November 30, 1964. Mr. and Mrs. Santos celebrated their 25th silver wedding anniversary in 1989 with a renewal of vows and a proper wedding reception in grand style at the former Shalimar, Dongan Hills, with 200 of their family and friends. The original love letters have since been leather-bound in three large volumes and are now cherished heirlooms of an epic love story for the ages. Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance Married for 57 years, Jess and Narcy Santos first met in 1958 when they were 18 and 20, respectively, as pen pals through a pen pal program sponsored by the Manila Chronicles, one of the largest newspapers in the Philippines. These photos were exchanged in two of their hundreds of love letters to each other. (Courtesy Narcy Santos) From humble beginnings, a position in one of the largest pharmaceutical companies At 18, while taking night classes towards his college degree, Mr. Santos started working full-time during the day at the former United Laboratories, the largest pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, in Mandaluyong City, Manaila. He rose to the rank of data entry clerk, the position he held when he applied in 1968 to immigrate to the United States to pursue the American dream and seek a better education and opportunity for his family. His immigration papers approved in 1968, Mr. Santos postponed his flight to JFK Airport because his wife would soon give birth to their second daughter. In 1972, after their third daughter was born, he finally arrived and settled on Staten Island; in 1973, he was joined by his wife and children, then ages 7, 4, and 2. The 22-hour intercontinental airplane flight was their first. All three of his daughters eventually went on to earn their doctorate degrees. Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance Narcy and Jess Santos are pictured on Mother's Day 2018 at the Richmond County Country Club, Dongan Hills, with their three daughters: Dr. Gracelyn Santos, at left, Gaylene Santos, Esq., and Dr. Genalin Santos Kalpaxis. (Courtesy Narcy Santos) Mr. Santos’ 33-year career at a bank and two Staten Island hospitals For the next 33 years, Mr. Santos worked in various positions throughout NYC as an accounting clerk at Chase Manhattan Bank, Manhattan; a switchboard operator and then food buyer at the former Doctors’ Hospital; and finally, as a medical records clerk at Staten Island University Hospital North, the position he held upon his retirement. In his leisure time, he enjoyed family gatherings, especially cruise vacations, and was happiest attending birthday parties and graduations of his children and grandchildren, who have amassed thousands of photos with their ‘Lolo.’ His love for and devotion to his wife, Narcy, never faded, but rather grew with each passing year, one of the highlights of which was their 50th golden wedding anniversary dinner at Richmond County Country Club, Dongan Hills. For 57 years, they called each other with one simple word, ‘Dear,’ a term oft heard by those who loved them, through three generations. Mr. Santos is former board member of the Philippine-American Civic Association of Staten Island (PACCCSI) and the United Labs Family Association, a group of former United employees, with whom the couple enjoyed vacations and social events. He is a former President of the Santa Cruz Laguna Association of the Eastern Seaboard (SCLA), which provides scholarships for needy students in the U.S. and abroad, the fundraising parties of which he was admired for his generous and warm personality, and excellent dance moves. A chess enthusiast, Mr. Santos won numerous chess championships in the Philippines, and enjoyed teaching and letting his daughters win at the game he loved, until they started beating him. Then it was each man for himself. Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance Jess and Narcy Santos, seated center, are pictured at a SCLA Christmas party 2017, with their family. Standing are (left to right): Dr. Genalin Kalpaxis, Leander Kalpaxis, Simonides Kalpaxis, Theodoro Mercado, Leopold Mercado, Aessandro Mercado, Dr. Michael Mroczek, Leonidas Kaplaxis, Charista Mroczek, and Gaylene Santos, Esq. Seated (left to right) are: Angelica Mroczek, Narcy Santos, Jess Santos, Catherina Dinning, Tatiana Mroczek, and Dr. Gracelyn Santos. (Courtesy Narcy Santos) Mr. Santos is survived by his wife, Narcisa (nee Fernandez), and his three daughters: Dr. Genalin Santos Kalpaxis and her husband Leander Kalpaxis of Ridgewood, NY, and their sons Leonidas and Simonides; Dr. Gracelyn Santos and her husband Dr. Michael Mroczek of Staten Island, and their daughters Charista, Tatiana and Angelica; and Gaylene F. Santos, Esq. of Staten Island, NY, and her children Alessandro, Theodoro, Leopold and Catherina. His daughter, Dr. Gracelyn Santos, a dentist in private practice in Meiers Corners for 25 years, is a former Miss Staten Island 1990, and is a part-time life and culture columnist for the Staten Island Advance/SILive. His three granddaughters are also titleholders: Angelica Mroczek, is the current Miss Staten Island’s Outstanding Teen 2020; Tatiana Mroczek was Miss Richmond County’s Outstanding Teen 2018; and Charista Mroczek was Miss Staten Island’s Outstanding Teen 2016. In addition, he is survived by and was a godfather to his many nieces and nephews and their families, including Odette Sanchez Vitaliz, Angelina Sanchez Pantonia, Leticia Sanchez Del Rosario, Romeo Sanchez Santos, all of Laguna, Philippines; and Jofen Santos Tolentino of Bloomield, NJ. He was predeceased by his brothers and beloved sister, Angelina Santos Sanchez, all of Laguna, Philippines. Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance On Christmas Eve 2019, Jess and Narcy Santos are pictured with their nine grandchildren. Seated (left to right) are: Jess and Narcy Santos, Catherina Dinning, Alessandro Mercado. Standing (left to right) are: Charista, Angelic and Tatiana Mroczek, Leonidas Kalpaxis, Leopold and Theodoro Mercado, and Simonides Kalpaxes. (Courtesy Narcy Santos) Tributes by Mr. Santos’ three first-born grandchildren from his three daughters Alessandro Mercado, 21: “Lolo had an unstoppable work ethic, lighthearted sense of humor, and a dedication to our family. He will forever be part of the foundation of our family. He was our Lolo. When we were younger, Lolo drove me, Teddy and Leo to and from school every day, accompanied, of course, with juice boxes and small bags of chips. He even included extra so we could bring them home to our little sister Rena. We will all be forever grateful to Lolo for these little things that brightened our individual days, and for the great things. He made us better people by teaching us to work hard to earn our place in society and in this world. Lolo taught us that work we do in school and in life will not always be easy, and that we must persevere. Most importantly, Lolo taught us to love each other, and to love ourselves, because we can help each other find happiness in this world. All four of us are closer than we have ever been because of our Lolo, and we will always remember him. We love you so much Lolo. Love, Alessandro, Theodoro, Leopold, and Catherina (Alex, Teddy, Leo, Rena) Charista Mroczek, 20: “Lolo embodied the virtues of hard work, family values, service to others, and unconditional love. He sacrificed his entire life to give his family the American dream and did so with a smile on his face. He was the most selfless, kind-hearted, hardworking, intelligent, and compassionate man I have ever known. My favorite memories with Lolo will be enjoying pastrami sandwiches together at diners, relaxing near the fire in my backyard, going on road trips to Lancaster and Disney World, and dancing with him at the SCLA Christmas parties. I will remember him as a cheerful and friendly man who gave the best advice and loved to sing, dance, pray, eat, laugh, whistle, tell jokes, and spend time with my Lola and our family. Lolo has my love, respect, and gratitude forever. Rest in Peace, Lolo. Tatiana, Angelica, and I love you.” Leonidas Kalpaxis, 18: “Lolo was kind and generous and he always put others before himself. He emphasized to my brother Simonides and me the importance of family. Lolo looked forward to hearing new jokes and loved to read and to laugh. He especially loved play-on-word jokes and riddles. Lolo loved to nurture our creativity and spark our curiosity. He knew that Simonides and I loved going on adventures, so on those weekends when we two had our sleepovers with them, he always planned the whole day especially for us. One morning, Lolo happily announced there was a kids’ workshop at Home Depot, so off we three went and we had a fabulous time assembling our own wooden toolboxes, with his patient help. Our toolboxes will always remind us of that day with Lolo. We love him and we will carry his love, spirit and the lessons he taught us forever.” Arrangements Family and friends may pay their respects at the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard on Friday, January 15 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.. Due to Covid, all visitors must wear masks, practice social distancing and be mindful that a small wait to visit might exist due to capacity limitations. Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home will be on Saturday, January 16, departing at 9:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Heart R.C. Church at 10:30 a.m. Committal service following mass will be private. To view the entire obituary please copy and paste the following link on your browser: https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2021/01/jesus-a-santos-a-devoted-family-man-who-epitomized-the-american-dream-dies-he-was-80.html