Tom Manuel Santiago

Tom Manuel Santiago, taken from us much too soon, died at the age of 61. He was born on November 17, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was the youngest of 4 children born to Andrea Estrada and Julio Vila Santiago. Tom died peacefully on March 19th due to complications from diabetes.

Tom married Linda M. Santiago on July 27th, 1989 and, while they didn’t have any children of their own, Tom helped care for Linda’s four teenagers. In addition, Tom and Linda raised their grandson Tommy from the time he was 5 months old. Tom loved and cared for Tommy as his own and Tommy helped take care of Tom up until his death.

Tom worked as an auto mechanic for much of his life until the impact of diabetes made the work difficult for him to do. He loved to camp and fish, and spent a lot of time in the beautiful Utah outdoors. Some of his fondest memories were spent under the stars sitting around a campfire with Linda and Tommy at the family’s land in Fruitland, Utah. He also enjoyed spending time at Bear Lake and in the Wasatch Mountains.

Tom was quirky and shy and was a man of few words. He had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed saying things just for the shock-value his words would deliver. You’d realize his joke when you’d see his small smile as he looked at you, waiting for your reaction.

In October 2015, Tom lost his first fight with diabetes. A lack of health insurance delayed proper treatment, allowing the disease to take his right foot. To help Tom adjust to life with a prosthetic leg, Tom moved into a care facility for some time and then finally to Country Lane Assisted Living. Tom received great care while there and made good friends with some residents and staff. Our thanks go out to all who helped care for Tom, but especially to Madison (and her dog Kya) and Issa for the extra love, kindness and respect they gave Tom while at Country Lane. We would also like to thank Symbii Home Health and Hospice for keeping Tom comfortable in his final days.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Andrea and Julio Santiago. He is survived by his wife Linda, his son Tommy and his four step-children, Malinda (Bob) Bills, Michelle (Jason) Doyle, Tiffany McConnell, and Erik (Emillee) Thomas, and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by his 3 sisters Jody (Dennis) Bramble, Rebecca Cardwell, and Patsy (Steve) Calaway.

Graveside services will be held at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery (275 S. U Street in Salt Lake City) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday March 29th. We will celebrate Tom’s life with family and friends at the home of his sister, Jody Bramble on Saturday, March 30th from noon to 4:00 pm. Join us at 9173 South Targhee Drive (4170 West) in West Jordan.

We already miss you Tom! Thank you for all the memories. We love you (today). <3

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