Santiago Ricardo Munoz was born in Belize City, Belize, (British Honduras) Central America to Ricardo Munoz and Dolores Gonzales-Munoz on April 22 1968. At age 5 he immigrated to the United States along with his 8 maternal siblings. He began his early education at Gale Elementary School in Chicago and went on to Sullivan High school where he was captain of the football team and selected “All American” and also awarded “Offensive Lineman of the year”. Upon graduation from High School in 1986, Santiago (AKA Papa San, Santi or Toast) joined the United States Navy. He completed Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval Base and served on the Air Craft Carrier USS Nimitz.
After leaving the Navy, Santiago got married and from this union produced 2 beautiful daughters - Nanci and Caroline. Santiago was one of the best dads any child could have. Anything he did, was always for his girls, and he was fiercely protective of them. His work experience included management and sales. Let me tell you, he was a good sales person. When he entered a room, you knew he as there - he was not known to be a quiet one – in fact he could be quite loud and yes, even obnoxious, but he had a good heart.
Santiago was a mentor to all and was a motivational speaker for both the AA and NA programs. He was instrumental in hosting AA/NA meetings, preparing meeting rooms and procuring speakers, etc. He touched many lives and helped quite a few people from returning to a questionable lifestyle. He would sit up all night drinking coffee with a person who was trying to kick a habit. Apart from that, he was a mentor to many of his nieces, nephews and friends. Santiago’s hobbies included long drives with his girls, cooking, sports, and movies. As a matter of fact, a lot of our one-liners included movie quotes.
Santiago went on to his eternal rest on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. He leaves to mourn for him his daughters – Nanci and Caroline Munoz, Brothers – Robert Croft, Bert Gonzalez, John Croft, Ricardo Munoz, Miguel Munoz and sisters – Allyson Griffith-Gillette, Patricia Croft-Calloway, Bernadette Bull, Marcia Gonzalez and Deborah Houston. Also mourning his loss are his nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his father Ricardo Munoz, mother Dolores Gonzales-Munoz, brother, Ricardo (Sonny) Munoz, Mario Gonzalez and sister Monica Gonzales.
Forever in our hearts – Rest in Peace
