Claudio Dos Santos

Claudio was born on August 23, 1915 in the suburb of Sorocaba in São Paulo, Brazil to Joaquim Martins dos Santos and Anna Rita Guimarāes. He was one in a family of 14 children. On September 27, 1934, he married Maria (Mary) José Daniel Siquieira. They raised two daughters, Claudette and Wany and one son, Welster. Claudio received his degree in mechanical draftsmanship from The Institute of Profissional Masculino in 1939. He started as a machinist and worked his way to supervisory positions in mechanical engineering for Durex, 3M and General Electric in Brazil. He immigrated to the United States in 1955 with his family. Once settled in Utah, he had to begin again as a machinist and worked his way up to the position of CEO for Beehive Machinery. He held that position for 17 years.

Claudio was affectionately referred to as Vovô, or grandpa in Portuguese, by his surviving family. Vovô had a passion for singing and music. He sang for the LDS Tabernacle choir for 15 years. He had a strong, passionate and powerful voice and those are attributes that describe his personality as well. He had a remarkable work ethic and rose from poverty to financial success through determination, ambition and hard work. He was a devoted family man and loved being surrounded by loved ones, particularly children. He had a keen sense of logic and educated himself on every new aspect of technology, which he attributed to why his mind stayed so sharp as he aged. He had a gregarious personality and easily made friends everywhere he went. Everyone noticed when he’d enter a room. He was loved by many. At a Utah state birthday celebration for centenarians, when asked by Governor Herbert about the secret to his longevity, he said, “Everything in moderation, except one thing; love. Love, and do so in excess.”

Vovô was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary, his granddaughter, Sedra, his parents, siblings and other family and loved ones. He is survived by his three children, nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. The youngest great-great-grandson, Jax, was born into this world just hours after he passed away.

Funeral services will be held at Park 8th Ward House at 7411 S. 4800 W. West Jordan, Utah (9:30-10:30 am viewing, 11:00 am funeral service). Directly following the funeral, the graveside service will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.