Hi Mark, anak (son),
I call you anak, because that is how I and Jun feel towards you.
I thank God, your parents and Jo because through them our kids, Melanie and Rod have met you and became one of their best friends.  Friendship so close as if you were a family.
Maybe two or three weeks  before your surgery, you made a trip to AZ with Rod to visit and bring Jo's  bike too. And that is one of your great qualities that you will go extra mile to show your love and support to your friends. 
As always, you all had a great time...you, Rod, Jo, Melanie, Maggie and Avery, your godchild. 
Your life here on earth was short, but well lived. You have left us your legacy to live life full of enthusiasm, to go extra mile to know what your family/ friends like and to make them feel that they matter. 
We will miss your smile, your hugs, your laughter and most of all your unconditional love. 
Mark, anak, today is the 22 of December which is the 40th day of your passing life  on earth to eternal life.  I can picture our God the Father and your earthly father, Deacon Jun, waiting at the heaven's gate. Our God the Father with His arms stretched out, welcoming you and saying, "Well done, my good and faithful one, my beloved one. You have run your race and now you are Home, to the place where you belong."
We will surely miss you. Thank you for the great memories that will keep you alive in our hearts.
Our thoughts, prayers and deepest  sympathy to you Sis Josie, Chris, Mike, Janice, Kylie and to the Cruz and Santos families.

Sincerely,
Jun and Helen Flake

Mark, you are the true definition of a genuine person. Someone that was reliable and dependable, who always kept your word. It doesn’t come as a surprise that many people were able to share your presence and the same experience of love, comfort, laughter, and joy. You really knew how to make any situation a laughable and enjoyable one. 

Handpicked to be the Ninong to our kids and best man at our wedding. You devoted your time and took the role with all seriousness. Your presence brought so much laughter, that we couldn’t wait to see you again. Even if it was just for a quick boba drink, random car ride, yogurt reset, or just to talk and hang out, we already knew it was going to be a good time. 

Thank you for all that you’ve done for our family and blessing us with the gift of your presence. It definitely is an honor to have known someone as wonderful as you. 

You will always be a part of our family and have a special place in our hearts. We love and miss you dearly. 

Mark, you were a cut above the rest. I had to read everyone's memory of you before writing my own. Some of us know one another, some we don't. And that's okay. We all shared pretty much the same feelings about you. Part of the family. That isn't a term that a lot of people get to use. But you can. The countless meals we shared over the years, family events, family moments you were always a part of, you somehow were able to attend them all. Makes us happy that we all got to share your beautiful soul with everyone. There isn't much room to share all the wonderful memories but I'll share a few.

A few years ago, Mark was my best man in our wedding. Months later, he helped me and my family move our entire lives up to a new town. It didn't matter if the drive was going to be 5 mins, or 2 hours, Mark was the one person you could ALWAYS count on. Time was the one thing we valued together. I suffered a heart attack 2 years ago. We were 3 hours from our home when it happened. My wife had filled in Mark on the details. He was there at the hospital in a few hours. Mark stayed pretty much the entire day taking care of my family while I was recovering. "Bro, I got you on this, just rest up." He made his promise on that. One final memory that we would like to share is the birth of our daughter, Kamiyah Marie. She was born during the covid-19 pandemic. Hospitals were on full lock down. We weren't allowed any visitors. No family either. Just myself, my wife, and our new daughter. The brightest part of it all? Mark was the first and only  person to see her in the hospital the day she was born. He hustled valuable snacks to me inside our room. Mark made sure we had what we needed upon going home on Easter Sunday this year. 

From our questionable antics with our cars and bro moments, I look back and cherish them all. Mark you are the most respectful and bastos person to have ever walked this earth. 

To the son of a Deacon, love you brother. 

Mark,

Thank you for being such a loving, caring, and incredibly loyal friend to my brother, and in doing so, becoming part of our family. Over the past 15+ years, you were a part of our family’s moments, big and small. Our parents loved you, we all loved you. 

Every time we visited SD, I looked forward to you swinging by because I knew you’d have us laughing at your inappropriate jokes and dancing. Even so, you were also very respectful, endearing, and truly one-of-a-kind.

I have been in awe with the amount of wonderful people in your life who considered you their best friend/brother and part of their families—what a testament to your lovable and genuine character. Thank you for all the laughs and for all the laughs we’ll continue to have sharing memories of you. Sending prayers of peace and comfort to your family and all those who love you. You are loved and missed by so many, Mark! 

Dear Kuya Mark, 
Thank you for being the light in our lives and the life of the party everywhere you went. I’ll miss all of your jokes, hugs, goofiness, and caring & loving heart. I don’t know how many times I laughed until I cried with you. That’s just the type of guy you were; always trying to bring a smile to anyone and everyone’s face. Thankful to have been lucky enough to know you in this lifetime, and be loved and cared for by you. I will keep all of our memories forever in my heart because they still make me laugh so much and bring back those happy times with you. You were the heart of San Diego and going back there will never be the same without you, Kuya. Thank you for the endless adventures full of laughs, sleepovers, nights out, birthday celebrations, foodie trips, and overall fun times. From you, I learned the importance of being there for the ones you love. You taught me to just have fun with life and always smile throughout it. I know you’re always watching over me and still continue to protect me. I’m going to miss you forever. Until we meet again. Rest In Peace Kuya Mark, Hetty loves you so much 💙💙💙

Kuya Mark,
I miss you so much everyday. I will miss going down to San Diego with my siblings to spend the weekends with you. Thank you for being such an amazing cousin/best friend/SD tour guide/bodyguard and most of all, thank you for being a big brother to me. You have always protected my sister and I and although you are not physically with us anymore, I know you are still protecting us. Kuya Mark, I will always remember and miss your incredibly loving, silly, and unique self. 

Thank you for all the fun memories, laughs, inside jokes, advice, & big bear hugs. Thank you for showing us the best places to eat at in San Diego and thank you for always being down to get more tacos with us even when you were already full lol. Thank you for loving me just the way I am and thank you to you and Auntie Josie for always welcoming us into San Diego with open arms. Although my life will never be the same without you by my side, I take comfort knowing you knew how much the Galoso siblings loved & appreciated  you. I promise to always protect your name. You will always be in my heart wherever I go. Until I can see you and be with you again, I cannot wait for that day. I love you forever, my favorite cousin💙👼🏼💋✨ Rest in Paradise🙏🏽

Love, BANGE

I met Mark back in 2007, and he instantly became a part of our family (Funtanilla). Mark has always been there for us during the good times and the bad. He always made time for our family events, always checked on us regularly, and took the time out of his schedule to grab a meal, try some dessert, set up for a party, help us move houses, cut my brother and husband’s hair, talk to our dad about the most random things. To me, Mark was like a brother. I didn’t call him Kuya, but the respect was there. He protected me, guided me, helped me and my husband, and made fun of me all the time. Our hearts are broken from his passing. We will truly miss Mark, everything reminds us of him. We find comfort in knowing he is with his Dad in heaven watching over all of us. Mark, Kevin and I will miss your DM’s and texts, phone calls, Bastos jokes, and most of all your laugh and smile. We love you.

Ninong Honey Bear is the best Ninong. He pranked us and said he was going to eat us but it was just a joke. 

He was a silly Ninong. He took us to Target and Chuck E Cheese and made our birthdays the best. He was very nice to mommy and daddy. I am happy I got a last photo with him. 

I love you Ninong Honey Bear

Love Livy 

Mark...our brother....our best friend ...best Tio to Emma and Diego....We were very blessed to have had you in our lives. Thank you for always making us feel so welcomed and loved. Family gatherings will never be the same without you, esp Christmas...my mom enjoyed making you  tacos de lengua! We loved coming to visit you in San Diego and looked forward to you visiting us in LA. You always had something for us pastry/souvenir, told us the funniest stories but best of all, you gave us your time and warmest hugs. 
I remember when we went to visit you and you cut Andres’ hair and Diego was still a baby but you were too scared to cut his hair so I asked you if you could cut my hair with your clippers! You freaked out and said “I’ve never cut a woman’s hair before!” But I said “it’s ok, I need a trim.”I’m sure your hands were so sweaty but you did a great job and you were proud of your first woman’s haircut! 
You will always be in our hearts Mark and we will cherish all the moments we shared 💙 
Love, Lizette Andres Emma & Diego

Mark, I miss you so much ninja. I will never forget how you were always there for us and made us laugh with your bastos jokes. I always felt safe whenever we were out together galavanting, you made sure I was always on the inside when walking on the street or around shady areas and you would hold me close to you, as if you were protecting me “just in case.” Thank you for always being the first person and the last person to leave at our family parties and for always helping us set up for Mikaela’s birthdays, I can hear her say “thank you Ninong Mark.” You were such a big part of our lives, I feel as if I can never move on. I always want to call or text you. But you are in a better place now with your dad.  Thank you for all the laughs, your delicious leche flan, the chomping, the farts, and the love. I never would of thought I would miss the words “pull my finger.” Thank you for buying me a rosary as a pasalubong on your last PI trip, it’s still hanging where you placed it on my rear view mirror. I find comfort in it everyday as I make the sign of the cross and asking God to protect us as we drive and also that a part of you is with me. Thank you for your love and friendship. We miss you so much. I love you forever. 

Ninong Honey Bear is the silliest Ninong we have. And he was the best. He was more than our Ninong. He was the best best Ninong. 

He pretended he was going to eat me and my sister. So I called my moms phone and shouted her name. MOM! 

Ninong laughed and said its a joke and then I was scared of him. But I love him. 

Love Drea 

Totes missing you Mark. You were our best friend and brother. Someone who was always around in our everyday routine. Thank you for always making us smile and laugh, and for always taking care of us in every way you can. 

I have so many fun memories with you, that it’s hard to just pin point one. But something that always sticks out, even though it’s so small, is how you’d always bring me my favorite boba drink to my work if ever you would be passing by or needed to do something at the bank. I wouldn’t even know, and you’d walk into my branch with a boba drink in hand. It’s those thoughtful little gestures you’d do that make you so special Mark. Love you, “MISH YEW SO MOSH” 

BFFs forever and ever, 
Jena 

Sending my heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Mark’s family. Mark is like family to us. He was always there to help us when we needed him without hesitation. He also was my grandson Kevins  mentor. Mark loved my Torta as we loved his Leche Flan. We will always love Mark and keep him in our hearts.  May you rest in Peace🙏

I knew that Mark and I would make great friends when I learned that he hated ketchup as much as I do.  Funny thing is, I don't remember how we became friends. He just finds a way into your life and stays there--for which, I am so grateful. Love you Markingzzz! Love, "Ate Mewww"

Hi My name is Kevin i remember when Kuya mark took me to mount Helix and then the yogart shop. Then he took me to Dave N Busters which i had a lot of fun. Mark took me under his wing I will always love him

Mark,
You were always the big brother I could confide in about everything. Whether it was about any problems at home, work, or women, you always made time to talk. Whenever I think back to any milestone in my life you were always there with my family and I can't thank you enough for the endless love and support you showed all of us. I keep thinking back to our road trip from San Diego to my C-School in Mississippi. I was honestly terrified about the drive but so relieved to have you by my side.  I always felt invincible knowing you had my back.

If only covid didn't ruin our plans for Japan, you would have loved the drive from Misawa down to Yokosuka. I'll love and misshyew always, brother. 

I heard tonight, “How can I raise my children to be like you”? Honestly if all God’s humans on Earth could be like you, what a brotherhood of mankind we would be! I knew you to be happy and silly but also serious and steadfast.  You put others first with your thoughts and actions.  God has called you home but not before you touched us all and gave us a lifetime of memories to cherish. Love and hugs to your family. Michael, Charlotte and CJ Gonzalez 

Tita Josie and family - 

We are blessed to have been graced by Mark's friendship. He will be dearly missed but we will carry on his love for music, his love for travel, his love for food, his love for life. 

A hop and a skip away, 

The Penaflors

Our deepest condolences to the Santos family. Mark was not only our  neighbor he has become a good friend. He was always willing to help with whatever we needed. He was my sons mentor. I miss seeing Mark in his garage washing his car or Auntie Josies car or just doing something. I miss his smile. I miss him so much. 🥺💔💐🙏🏼 Rest in Peace Mark you will forever be in our hearts. (Photo is of Mark and my son who he mentored and this was when he took my son to a Padres game then ice cream afterwards) we miss
you so much Mark

Mark my heart is broken in a million pieces...I've known you since you and maddie were in kindergarten...you are one of the nicest young men I've had the p,easire of knowing...fly high with the angels sweetheart you will be missed ❤️ Mrs lutz

OBITUARY

Mark Stephen Cruz Santos

11 November, 1986 – 13 November, 2020

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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