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April 19, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.
Matildo Santana, Sr., age 89 of Paterson, died peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2014. He was receiving the love of his family at the time of his passing.
One of nine children, Matildo was born and raised in Naguabo, Puerto Rico. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Matildo always wanted to live near New York City, so, upon his return home from the war, he and his buddy Graciano came to mainland USA! Graciano ultimately ended up in Chicago and Matildo settled down in Paterson, NJ. That was 1925 and he lived there ever since. His first job in his new home was working as a farm hand for Ploch’s Farm in Clifton. Shortly after, he got a job in construction.
It was while working in construction that Matildo met a wonderful girl. Her name was Anna and she lived in Totowa, on Wayne Avenue. Matildo was involved in the demolition of a nearby home when he spotted her. On his break, he bravely approached Anna and offered her the orange he had packed in his lunch that morning for himself. They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, it seemed that in this case, the way to a woman’s heart was through her stomach! Anna gladly accepted that delicious, juicy orange and a beautiful relationship was born in that moment which ultimately culminated into a wedding ceremony and a loving marriage on Saint Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1953. Matildo and Anna were blessed with forty-six years as husband and wife until Anna’s passing in 1999. During those years God also gave them three loving sons and two dear daughters.
Matildo didn’t stay in construction forever. Instead he went to work for Damato Paper Recyclers on Florida Avenue in Paterson. One day, he brought one of his sons to work. Despite the fact that his son accidently started a serious fire there that day, Matildo remained with Damato Paper for many years. He eventually moved on to became a machine operator with United Wire Hanger Corp. of Hasbrouck Heights where he faithfully worked another twenty years before retiring in 1987 at age 62.
In his spare time, Matildo really got a kick out of going with his buddy Sal Lazzaro to the Meadowlands to watch the horses and, of course, to bet on a race or two. He was also very proud of his prize tomato plants and was always happy to give some of the bounty of his crops to friends who stopped by his house. Sal loved it when visitors came knocking at his door. He’d always invite you in for a hot cup of coffee or a cool drink of lemonade and he wouldn’t let you leave until you had something to eat too. The postman always appreciated the bottle of Gatorade that was waiting when he delivered Matildo’s mail. A very handy man, he was always fixing things around the house too.
Matildo had a wonderful relationship with his two grandsons Monte, III and Vincent. He was so proud that Monte, III was going to graduate from the University of New Haven in Connecticut this coming May and that Vincent was going to graduate from Paramus Catholic High School this coming June. He would have loved to witness their graduations. He loved hanging out and telling the boys stories. One which stands out was the story of how he got his first job in NJ with Ploch’s Farm in Clifton. As Matildo put it, “I was bought by Ploch’s Farms!”
Next to his family, Matildo’s softest part in his heart was reserved for animals, especially homeless pooches and kitties. He will be missed greatly by his dog Butch who was a loyal protector of his house. He’ll also be missed by his black cat Lucky as well as his two other feline friends, Gray and Baby.
Surviving are his four dear children: Juana Santana of Paterson, Benjamin and wife Patricia of Wayne, Monte and wife Barbara of Paterson, and Maria Santana and companion Hector Lopez of Clifton; two adored grandchildren: Monte, III and Vincent Santana; his brother Pedro and wife Obdulia Santana of Paterson, and his sister Saro Santana of Puerto Rico. Matildo was predeceased by his beloved wife Anna in 1999, his dear son Patrick in 2005, and six siblings.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Matildo’s name are asked to consider the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Please send a check to ASPCA Tributes, 520 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.
April 19, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.
Matildo Santana, Sr., age 89 of Paterson, died peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2014. He was receiving the love of his family at the time of his passing.
One of nine children, Matildo was born and raised in Naguabo, Puerto Rico. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Matildo always wanted to live near New York City, so, upon his return home from the war, he and his buddy Graciano came to mainland USA! Graciano ultimately ended up in Chicago and Matildo settled down in Paterson, NJ. That was 1925 and he lived there ever since. His first job in his new home was working as a farm hand for Ploch’s Farm in Clifton. Shortly after, he got a job in construction.
It was while working in construction that Matildo met a wonderful girl. Her name was Anna and she lived in Totowa, on Wayne Avenue. Matildo was involved in the demolition of a nearby home when he spotted her. On his break, he bravely approached Anna and offered her the orange he had packed in his lunch that morning for himself. They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, it seemed that in this case, the way to a woman’s heart was through her stomach! Anna gladly accepted that delicious, juicy orange and a beautiful relationship was born in that moment which ultimately culminated into a wedding ceremony and a loving marriage on Saint Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1953. Matildo and Anna were blessed with forty-six years as husband and wife until Anna’s passing in 1999. During those years God also gave them three loving sons and two dear daughters.
Matildo didn’t stay in construction forever. Instead he went to work for Damato Paper Recyclers on Florida Avenue in Paterson. One day, he brought one of his sons to work. Despite the fact that his son accidently started a serious fire there that day, Matildo remained with Damato Paper for many years. He eventually moved on to became a machine operator with United Wire Hanger Corp. of Hasbrouck Heights where he faithfully worked another twenty years before retiring in 1987 at age 62.
In his spare time, Matildo really got a kick out of going with his buddy Sal Lazzaro to the Meadowlands to watch the horses and, of course, to bet on a race or two. He was also very proud of his prize tomato plants and was always happy to give some of the bounty of his crops to friends who stopped by his house. Sal loved it when visitors came knocking at his door. He’d always invite you in for a hot cup of coffee or a cool drink of lemonade and he wouldn’t let you leave until you had something to eat too. The postman always appreciated the bottle of Gatorade that was waiting when he delivered Matildo’s mail. A very handy man, he was always fixing things around the house too.
Matildo had a wonderful relationship with his two grandsons Monte, III and Vincent. He was so proud that Monte, III was going to graduate from the University of New Haven in Connecticut this coming May and that Vincent was going to graduate from Paramus Catholic High School this coming June. He would have loved to witness their graduations. He loved hanging out and telling the boys stories. One which stands out was the story of how he got his first job in NJ with Ploch’s Farm in Clifton. As Matildo put it, “I was bought by Ploch’s Farms!”
Next to his family, Matildo’s softest part in his heart was reserved for animals, especially homeless pooches and kitties. He will be missed greatly by his dog Butch who was a loyal protector of his house. He’ll also be missed by his black cat Lucky as well as his two other feline friends, Gray and Baby.
Surviving are his four dear children: Juana Santana of Paterson, Benjamin and wife Patricia of Wayne, Monte and wife Barbara of Paterson, and Maria Santana and companion Hector Lopez of Clifton; two adored grandchildren: Monte, III and Vincent Santana; his brother Pedro and wife Obdulia Santana of Paterson, and his sister Saro Santana of Puerto Rico. Matildo was predeceased by his beloved wife Anna in 1999, his dear son Patrick in 2005, and six siblings.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Matildo’s name are asked to consider the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Please send a check to ASPCA Tributes, 520 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
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