Santiago Vazquez

Santiago, well known by all as Sam, was a loving, generous and caring husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend.

Sam was born in San Juan Puerto Rico on January 20, 1951 to the late Antonia Fuentes- Vazquez and Santiago Vazquez-Mendoza. Sam was raised in Jersey City, NJ as the oldest of twelve children. Sam married the love of his life Michele on August 3, 1974 and started his family in North Bergen, NJ where he and Michele raised their two children, Adam and Samantha. Sam worked for Verizon for over 30 years where he met many great friends and had tons of fond memories. Sam was passionate about many organizations that helped children during his lifetime. He and Michele were active Boy Scouts of America troop leaders. He was also part of the a group of men and women who volunteered their time dressing up as clowns who entertained sick and disabled children. Sam was also an active member of the Palisades Park/Fort Lee Elks. He served as Exalted Ruler, vice president and district deputy and devoted much of his time to helping children with disabilities. In addition, he served as the president of Pop Warner football in North Bergen for a number of years where both of his children were amazing athletes. Sam also took great pride in managing the snack bar at the 64th street field for Pop Warner football for many years. Sam particularly enjoyed watching his children play sports, not missing a single game all the way through Adam's collegiate football career at Galludet University in Washington D.C. and Samantha's collegiate basketball and softball career at Drew University in Madison, NJ. His children were his pride and joy indeed.

Sam was preceded in death by his devoted parents Santiago and Antonia, his loving wife Michele, cherished son Adam, caring and kind sisters Norma and Esther. Sam's surviving family include his loving daughter Samantha Boyd and her husband Eric, four adoring grandchildren, Sophia, Jackson, Shakira and Harrison, his caring and cherished siblings, Sylvia, Sara, Elizabeth (husband Benjamin Correa), Miriam, Diana (husband Richard Ramos), Ruth, David, Daniel (wife Carina Vazquez) and Elena (husband John Rosario) and a host of nieces and nephews. Sam was also Godfather to Bethsaida Patterson and Ana Ramos.

Sam's Life Celebration will include visiting on Monday, March 17, from 4pm-8pm at the Leber Funeral Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus, NJ. A funeral prayer service will be offered on Monday during visiting hours at 6:30pm at the funeral home.