1928
2017
José Guillermo Santos 2/24/1928 - 12/16/2017 José G. "Joe" Santos passed away peacefully in his home on December 16, 2017 at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Genoveva Santos, brothers Ramon, Fernando, and Timoteo, and son Robert. He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Josephine; children, Patricia (James), Catherine (Richard), Sandra (Carlos), Stanley (Kathryn), Theresa, and Rebecca (Kevin); grandchildren, James, Scott (Eleanor), Jennifer (Farzad), Joseph (Brittany), Carlos (Lily), Joseph (Anelisa), Matthew (Jacqueline), Christopher, Melissa, Lauren, Rachel, Alexander, Robert, Nickolaus, Theresa and Isabel; great-grandchildren, Arya and Gavin; and, sisters, Chata, Grace, Rita, and Evangelina. He was born in south El Paso on February 24, 1928, the eldest of eight children from immigrant parents. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of seventeen. He began his career in the grocery business as a meat cutter, ultimately joining Safeway where he became a supervisor. In 1964, he opened his first grocery store on South Stanton St. and then opened the Food City Supermarkets in 1972. He has employed thousands of people throughout his career as a grocer and businessman. His most important legacy was his kindness and generosity to the countless nuns, priests and churches throughout El Paso, Mexico and other countries. He had a special devotion to the Virgen de Guadalupe and the Divine Mercy. He distributed thousands of rosaries and crucifixes to help spread these devotions. He also never passed on an opportunity to help feed and provide for the less fortunate. He served his Community and Country quietly. He was always a voice for those in need and the ignored. He was instrumental in procuring millions in start-up federal funds for public housing and health clinics in El Paso. He served as an advisor to three presidents, two governors and several mayors and U.S. Senators. In 2009, he was awarded the Conquistador Award by the City of El Paso. He was also most recently awarded the first Annual Latino Legacy Award from CommUNITY en Acción for his contributions as an influential Hispanic businessman and innovator. The Santos family would like to thank his many caregivers for their loving care and the numerous doctors and nurses that attended to him. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Father Yermo School, Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (Christ the King Monastery, 145 N. Cotton St., or Corpus Christi Monastery, 451 Mockingbird Ln.), or St. Anthony's Seminary. The Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Arrieta, Juan Carlos Castaneda, Mike Dipp, George Lopez, Manuel Mancera, Joe Martinez, Ed Soto and Nestor Valencia. Visitation will be at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 2301 Zanzibar Rd., on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 5 pm followed by a Rosary at 6 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 11 am at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Interment will follow the Mass at Mount Carmel Cemetery. Services directed by Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N. Carolina Dr.
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January 2, 2018
Bill Ramey
He was the best. I really enjoyed working for him and Food City. My deepest sympathies to Stanley and the family.
December 22, 2017
Frank Diaz
Joe Santos was one of the greatest most giving human I have ever met. I met Joe when President Reagan was in town. Joe and I met during that lunchean for Reagan. Love Joe Santos and his wonderful food at food city. Hope his son continues the generosity for the less fortunate. You are in heaven my good friend and the world will miss you.
December 22, 2017
Carolina Orona-Nolen
My condolences to the Santos family..R.I.P.Mr. Santos .
December 21, 2017
Javier Adauto
Joe, you and I go back to 1952 when you as a 24 yr old market mgr gave me, a 16 yr old, an opportunity to learn the market business. You also encourage me to continue my studies of which I received a BBA degree and an officer's commission in the US Army It was a long six yrs of working many hours a week but it all paid off. Years later, like last year, we would visit and talk about "remember when." And the first thing you would always ask, was why did you join the paratroopers. And each time I would answer, my dad asked asked me the same question. Joe, never ever will I forget you. God's blessing to you.
December 21, 2017
Jessica Rosas
It was an honor to work for Mr. Santos my condolences for his family.
December 21, 2017
Aguilar sisters
Our condolences to the Santos family. We remember Mr. Santos fondly as a kind and giving man who took such pride in his children and wife.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Cindy Aguilar-Davis
Martha Spano
Sylvia Aguilar
Bernadette Aguilar
December 20, 2017
Carmen Cabrales
I am deeply saddened by the news of your loss. May our Lord give him eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain. My most sincere condolences.
December 20, 2017
Our sincerest condolences to the family. I will always remember him as a caring and humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ for his generosity in helping the less fortunate and servants of our Lord. Our prayers will be with his family and especially Joe's spirit. Rose and George Gomez Sr.
December 20, 2017
Mike Casey
Mr. Sanchez,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your years of dedicated service and sacrifice-first for our Country when you served with the USN and later for the people of El Paso and in Mexico that you helped as well with your business and community involvement. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Fair Winds And Following Seas
December 20, 2017
Maria Almaraz
My sincere sympathy to the Family of Jose Santos. He was a wonderful Christian man and lived a wonderful life working and taking care of h
is family and friends,customers. Rest in peace Mr. Santos.
December 20, 2017
Hugo Noriega
Our deepest condolences to the Santos family.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
December 20, 2017
Veronica Ramirez
To all the Santos family my most sincere condolences especially to Josie, May God bless you and give you love and strenght in this time. I am sure Joe is in heaven and he will always be with us , he was truly an inspiration and a wonderful man full of God's many blessings , he will always be present in my prayers and all his loving family. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.
December 19, 2017
Diana Ramirez
We want to offer most sincere condolences to all the Santos family. May the Lord grant you peace and acceptance at this difficult time. Our prayers are with you. May the soul of Mr. Santos rest in peace.
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