James "Jim" David Santiago, 62, of Geneva, Ohio passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2023, at UH Cleveland Medical Center surrounded by family.
He was born August 15, 1961, in Geneva, Ohio to Suanne (Staida) and Ismael Santiago and graduated from Geneva High School. On August 31, 1985, he married Tamalyn (Cheney) Santiago and together they shared more 38 years of love and memories.
Jim was a hardworking man and worked for Crawford Insurance Agency and Capo's Pizza. Prior to this, he was a car salesman for many dealerships in Ashtabula and Lake Counties. In addition to his work, he was a very active and integral part of the Geneva Community for many years and served on several boards and committees in various roles. He was a licensed Lay Reader at Christ Episcopal Church and served as the head cook for their Breakfast Sunday. Currently, he was the president of the Geneva Business Association; member of the Community Improvement Corp.; member of the City of Geneva Zoning Board; member of Geneva Rotary serving as chairperson of "Run for the Grapes" and "Ring the Bell" for the Salvation Army; he was the voice of Geneva High School as the football announcer, chaperone for the choir on trips to Disney, New York, and many more locations, and the judge for the "Spelling Bee;" foster parent for Ashtabula County for 21 years and helped foster over 93 children in their home as well as adopting 10 children and having 3 sons of his own; was currently on the panel for "National Adoption Month" in November of 2023 to help awareness of teenage children that are in need of forever families; president of the Former Fosters Parent Support Group; former Cub Master of Pack 58 and a Den Leader; former member in Troop 750; Geneva Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2009; and a big fan of the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians.
He is survived by his wife, Tamalyn S. Santiago; children, James, Nicholas, Richard (Hannah), Anthony, Kyle (Sara) M.J., Joshua, Tyree, Kassandra (Dustin Blood), Jerome, Taquan, Jaontae, Cheyanne (James Homolya), Mariah, and many other children that called Jim's house "home" and him "dad;" grandchildren, Audrianna, Cole, Brantley, Waylon, Easton, Eiljah, Daxon, Ariella, Dustin, and Lillian; sister, Mary (Hugo) Reys; in-laws, Beth Cheney, Michelle and Dan Salyan, and Raymond and DeLana Cheney; mother-in-law, Mary Lou (Potter) Cheney.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Suanne and Ismael Santiago; grandson, Brantley A. Ryder Santiago; older brother, Timothy S. Santiago; grandparents, Frieda Mayfield, Neal Staida, Domitila and Inezaita Santiago; father-in-law, Douglas M. Cheney.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 3:00pm until the time of service at 6:30pm at Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio with Fr. Peter Nielsen officiating. A burial will take place at a later date.
In place of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 66 S. Eagle Street, Geneva, Ohio 44041.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to UH Geneva and UH Cleveland Medical Centers for all of their care and support.
Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services of Geneva, Ohio assisted the family with arrangements.
www.LakeErieCrematory.com