Obituary of John Peter Santana

John Peter Santana, age 53, died on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at his home in Watchung, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born and raised in Todt Hill Houses, Castleton Corners, Staten Island, NY. He attended St. Teresa grammar school on Staten Island. He was a 1975 graduate of Moore Catholic High School, Staten Island and in 1977 he graduated from Luther Junior College in Teaneck, NJ where he received an Associate's degree. Mr. Santana was a broker at Noonan Ashley-Pierce Brokerage, Cantor Fitzgerald and most recently Tradition North America in Manhattan, New York and Brazil. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Stony Hill Church in Watchung. Mr. Santana loved his family and friends and had a very strong faith. He was gifted in sports, acting, dancing and was blessed with the gift of a beautiful voice that touched the hearts of many. He appeared as the star of many plays at Moore Catholic High School and appeared as a singer at Dangerfield's in New York City in the early 1980's. Through his unyielding spirit and contagious smile he touched the lives of everyone he met. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carmen Santana; his daughters, Angelita, Chelsea, and Nea; his mother, Jennie Santana of Staten Island and his father, Eugene Santana of Jacksonville, Florida; his uncle, Brother John Joachim; mother and father-in-law, Vidal "Papi" Rodriguez and Maria Esteves; his granddaughter, Kaylee Marie; his sisters, Genevieve Bruen, Bernadette Naringi, Jean DelGaudio, and Maria Santana; brothers in law, Richard Bruen, Lance Naringi, and Humbert DelGaudio. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and 5 grand niceces and nephews. Funeral services will begin on Monday April 12, 2010 at 9 a.m. at Higgins Home For Funeral, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Stony Hill Church, Watchung. Entombment will be at St. Mary's Stony Hill Cemetery, Watchung. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The Chelsea Santana Education Fund, P.O. Box 7194 Watchung, NJ 07069.