Jose Enrique Santamaria

Rudi was born to the late Eugenio Santamaria and the late Maria (Mendez-Quintero) Santamaria on October 18, 1925 in Placetas, Cuba. He grew up in Santiago de Cuba. He is preceded in death by his wife, Alicia (de la Vega) Santamaria.

Rudi was involved in many business enterprises in Cuba. He fled Cuba to the United States after the Cuban revolution and sent for his family afterwards. He became an American citizen along with the rest of his family except his youngest son who was born on American soil. Rudi spent most of his career in the States working in the restaurant business in San Juan, Puerto Rico and New York City before settling in Atlanta, GA. Working in fine dining at first, over the years he owned five restaurants before selling his last business and retiring to the north Georgia mountains. He made friends with everyone he met, and he loved cooking, singing, gardening, and above all, spending time with family.

Rudi is survived by his four children: son, Jose Santamaria Jr. and his wife, Maia; son, Juan Santamaria and his wife, Judy; daughter, Maria Dussault; and son, Pat Santamaria and his wife, Laura. Five grandsons: Jason Santamaria and his wife, Elizabeth; Nick Santamaria and his wife, Sarah; Stephen Dussault and his wife, Teresa; Justin Dussault; and Will Paz and his wife, Andrea. Five great grandchildren: Clare Santamaria, Carter Dussault, and London, Heidi, and Phoenix Paz.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Bocce Room of Ippolito’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant at 2270 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 12noon-2:30pm with a reception at 12noon, Program at 12:30pm, and Lunch at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Emory Healthcare, Inc., 1762 Clifton Rd NE STE 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30322-4001

Please share your memories or condolences with the family at www.roswellfuneralhome.com.