Mario Santana

SANTANA, Mario, passed away on April 16, 2012. He was born May 25, 1942 in Vila Clara, Santa Clara, Cuba and died after a very short illness. Mario is survived by his wife of 29 years, Patricia, two children, Randy Santana and Marlyn Santana, and two stepchildren, Bonnie Sears and Brian Newsome, five grandchildren, Jemissa Santana, Gabriel Santana, Carlos Santana, Katie Sears, and Zachary Newsome, one yet to be born grandson, two sisters and three brothers, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a grandson, Mario, two brothers and two sisters and his parents. He is also survived by his “adopted” son and fishing buddy, William David Hutchins. Mario was employed by Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department until he retired. A family statement reads, "As a very young man he escaped Cuba in a rowboat, spent five days in the ocean before he was rescued, and was always grateful for the chance to experience freedom. He was a wonderful husband, good father, loving grandfather, proud American citizen, and good friend to everyone he met. He will be sorely missed."