Maximo Santiago, Jr., 78, of Williamstown, N.J., passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022.

Beloved husband of the late Mary Anne P. Santiago.  Devoted father of Maximillian A. Santiago Sr. and his Fiancé, Nathalie L. Marchand.  Dear brother of Maria Mercado, the late Felix Santiago and late Cesar Santiago. Loving Grandfather of Maximillian A. Santiago Jr., Isabella A. Santiago and his grandson’s fiancé, Mary T. Whitman.

He came to Philadelphia with his mother and brother in the early 1950’s from the island of Puerto Rico, to be with his father.  He attended Saint Peter’s Catholic Grade School and then Thomas Edison High School.  Following his graduation from Thomas Edison High School and after being named to the City’s All-Public Team (Football), he was recruited to play football at Penn State University.  His college sports career ended due to a football related injury, so he left college to pursue a career in public service with the City of Philadelphia.  He married his High School Sweetheart in 1964.  He later attended Temple University and was granted a Master of Science Degree from Lincoln University with a concentration in Sociology in 1988.  Maximo Santiago Jr. served the City of Philadelphia for over 32 years beginning in 1966 with the Department of Licensing and Inspection and completing his Civil Service career in 1998 as the Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, Central Intake and Fair Housing Unit.  During his long tenure with the Human Relations Commission (1975-1998), his primary area of responsibility was as the Supervisor of the Hispanic Outreach office in North Philadelphia as he was appointed to this position by the then Mayor of Philadelphia, Frank L. Rizzo in 1975.  During his tenure in this role, he received many awards and was named Employee of the Year.  He helped many people in this capacity and his work was well respected in the city’s Latino Community.  He was also licensed as a Real Estate Agent in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1971 and actively participated in this field as a hobby for many years.  He was a self- taught sailor and competed at a very high level in yachting competitions with his son Maximillian in the Somers Point, NJ region from 1977-1988. 

Following his retirement from active public service, he continued to enjoy traveling with his wife Mary Anne of 57 years until her death in 2021.  He was an avid sports fan and loved his Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies.  He kept busy by helping to care for his grandchildren, participating in their activities to include Scouting with his grandson and Ice Skating competitions with his granddaughter. His personality was larger than life and he could captivate people with his story telling capabilities. He was an avid history buff, who enjoyed endless hours of discussions about Military History and Politics.  He loved the New Jersey Shore and sitting on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey watching people and enjoying a slice of pizza with his wife Mary Anne.  His contributions to his family will remain his legacy.  He went to join his wife and the Lord with the knowledge that his grandson would be completing his Law Degree at Villanova University in May of 2022 and his marriage to Mary T. Whitman in October 2022. 

“We will miss you Pop”

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Tuesday, April 19th from 10:30 – 11:30 AM at BELL-HENNESSY FUNERAL HOME, 420 South Main St., Williamstown.  Mass of Christian burial will follow at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of Peace Parish / St. Mary’s RC Church, 32 Carroll Ave., Williamstown. Inurnment private.