Obituary of Luis Santiago

Luis “Pito” Santiago

 Beloved husband, father, and “wello,” Luis Santiago, passed away on December 26, 2022, at the age of 81. He was born in Puerto Rico on April 18, 1941, to the late Luis and Maria Santiago, before moving to Amsterdam, NY. He married his devoted wife, Milagro Santiago -Soto, on July 10, 1986, but they were happily together for over 50 years.

 Luis was known for his deep love of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was also known for his quiet, yet humorous nature, generosity, sweet tooth, and his fondness for lottery scratchers and Budweiser. After retiring from Gem Urethane Corp. in 2011, he spent his time tinkering around the house, playing pull tabs at the Post 701, or by his wife’s side.

He is survived by his wife; his loving children, Samuel Santiago, Ariel Santiago, Elmer Santiago, Delia Sitterly, Neida Santiago, Luisa Gonzalez, Myrta Gonzalez, and their families; beloved step-children Rosemary Negron, Medalyn Gonzales, Nilda Gonzales, Jose Gonzales, Hector Gonzales, Renee Robles, and their families; 41 adoring grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; his brothers Noel Santiago, Manuel Santiago, and Alfredo Santiago; sisters Heidi Montalvo, Rosa Lopez, Lucy Sartin, and Ester Wingfall; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will remember him fondly and miss him dearly.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Baltazar Santiago and Elba Cruzado, and his stepsons Daniel Gonzales and Rueben Robles.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Luis' caretakers Neida and Denise for the last two years of his care.

 Funeral Services will be held on Friday December 30, 2022 at 4:00 PM at the Betz, Ross & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY with The Very Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis E.V. presiding.  A visiting hour will precede the funeral beginning at 3:00PM Friday at the funeral home.   Burial will be private in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ft. Johnson, NY.  Please leave condolences online at www.brbsfuneral.com.