Pedro Santiago-Ortiz

Pedro “Jun” Santiago-Ortiz, 71, was called home on July 23, 2017.  He was born on September 9, 1945 in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico to the late Anastascio and Aurelia Santiago-Ortiz.  He was a part of a large loving family and blessed with seven siblings; two brothers and five sisters. Pedro completed his high school education in Puerto Rico and enlisted in the United States Army where he was stationed in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, until he was honorably discharged.  Pedro was an ambitious young man and wanted to pursue the American Dream.  He decided to move to West Chester, PA and lived with his older brother, Tomas and his sister-in-law, Ana in 1966.  This is where he met the love of his life, Nereida Garcia and soon to be Mrs. Santiago.  They fell in love and married on December 16, 1967.  From this union, they had three children:  Daisy, Jenny and Pedro, Jr.  Pedro was always a family man who loved, first and foremost, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his wife and family. He especially cherished his time with his grandchildren whom brought even more love and joy to his life. He also enjoyed his weekend visits to the Farmer’s Market and Flea market with his wife and sister-in-law, Ana.  Those three were inseparable and the stories of their daily adventures are hilarious. Pedro had many hobbies and interests and making people laugh was certainly one of them.  All who knew Pedro, also knew he was an avid Phillies and baseball fan.  He also loved fishing, horseracing and pitching, when he played softball in the Wilmington and New Castle County Softball leagues.  Pedro was also known as the “Jack of All Trades”.  He truly enjoyed joking and laughing with everyone and loved home improvement projects. He was always working on something at his house. Even when there wasn’t a project to work on, he would make one up. He also served as the “handyman” for everyone in our family because you could always count on him to help. He was always giving and selfless and helped others any way he could.  Pedro was a great man that lived life with love in his heart and love for others.  He was a gentle caring soul who would never utter a negative word about no one.  He was a soldier for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was obedient and never wavered on his commitment nor his relentless belief in his faith.  He praised his merciful God daily and every day was a blessing. He lived his life with a purpose. He walked humbly with his head held high in all he did because he did it with love, integrity, joy and honor.  Undeniably, he carried himself in this manner for his entire life.  He is now in heaven rejoicing and enjoying the fruits of his faithful disciple for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have all been blessed by him and we know he will continue to look over each and every one of us.  While he is no longer physically with us, he lives in our heart and spirit forever. Pedro is survived by his wife of 49 ½ years Nereida Santiago, his three children: Daisy Santiago, Jenny Santiago, Pedro Santiago, Jr., five grandchildren (Greg and Anthony Graves, Averee Santiago, Tracey Thompson, Jr., and two great grandchildren: Josiah and Jocey Thompson, five sisters and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday July 27, at 11:00am at Church of God Peregrino, 313 N. Broom St. Wilmington.  Where family and friends may call after 10:00am. Interment will follow services in Silverbrook Cemetery.