He was born on April 12, 1925, in El Paso, TX and had six brothers and three sisters. He was one of a set of identical twin boys and was well known by his many friends as “Twin.” He was preceded in death by his brothers Luciano, Salvador, Carlos, Ernesto, Robert and his twin Louis, in addition to his sisters Helen, Margaret and Dolores.
He is loved and will be tremendously missed by his survivors: Sylvia McKillip, Sandra Williams, Debra Santoscoy Betts and Patrick Santoscoy (Linda). Grandsons Sean Santoscoy, Eric Manuel McKillip (Bayli), Victor Villalobos, Marco Villalobos (Vanessa), Efren Villalobos and Great Granddaughter Liv McKillip including numerous nephews and nieces. He was an easy-going person with a good sense of humor, considerate character and great love for his wife, Anna of 64 years. They married in 1951 and enjoyed many years of travel including enjoying their family and friends at the annual Christmas Eve gathering at their home. After his wife suffered a severe Stroke in January 2002, Manuel was at his wife’s side caring for her every need until her passing in 2012.
He served with The U.S. Army during WWII in the Pacific Theater and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He also was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Philippine Islands Victory Medal. He was severely wounded by a mortar round while fighting in the Philippine Islands.
He was a lifelong resident of El Paso and member of the Catholic Church. He attended El Paso High School and Texas Western/UTEP, graduating with a degree in Education with Psychology as a minor, and a Master’s in Education with Counseling Certification, and an Administrator’s Certification. He had been an Administrator with the El Paso Independent School District and retired after 30 years, having taught at Aoy Elementary and Bowie High School, Counselor at Jefferson High School, Assistant Principal at Lamar, Principal at Rusk and Schuster Elementary.
Manuel was successful with many careers and businesses over his lifetime. After returning from his service in WWII, he secured his higher education and then preceded to purchase and operate a gasoline station and a flower shop with his twin brother. In 1968 he founded United Realty and was a Real Estate Broker. In 1985 he challenged himself and began another successful career creating Santoscoy Insurance Agency at the age of 61. The operation still exists and is operated by his son Patrick, where they worked side by side for over 40 years.
He was a firm believer in providing excellence in education and above all in the dignity of the many students in the schools that he taught at, counseled, and administered.
He was a former president of Paisano Lions Club, a former member of Phi Delta Kappa and later a member of Central Lions Club. His hobbies included playing golf and painting with pastels.
He undertook one of the biggest projects of his life and in 1964 he built his family a beautiful home on a bluff overlooking the City of El Paso, as well as magnificent home in Ruidoso of which he was very proud of.
The Santoscoy Family will receive relatives and friends on May 12th @ 11:00am beginning with a Vigil followed by the Church services at St Joseph’s Catholic Church 3729 Hueco Ave, El Paso, Texas 79903. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.
