George M. Santos, 76, of Westport, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Rhode Island Hospital after a long and courageous fight. He was the husband of Susan M. (Berube) Santos.
Born in St. Michael, Portugal, son of the late Joseph and Leontina (Teixeira) Santos, he came to this country at 16 months old. He pledged his allegiance to his country as a United States Navy veteran, serving in Vietnam and the Mediterranean during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he became a United States citizen on August 9, 1996 at Battleship Cove in Fall River surrounded by family and friends to celebrate.
This led him to join the W.A.& R Ouellette Post 8502 on State Road in Westport, where he served as Second Commander and bar manager for many years. Mr. Santos was an avid player in their pitch league and participated in many of the activities, dances and dinners they would put on.
Prior to retirement in 2006, he was a heavy equipment operator with Modern Continental for 33 years. His job took him all over the East Coast, New Hampshire, Nantucket and Cape Cod including start to finish on the Big Dig. He finished his career as an operator on Rt. 3 in Boston.
In retirement, George worked various odd jobs to keep busy, including making deliveries for a printing company, working as an auto mechanic and maintenance at Our Lady of Grace Parish, where he was a Communicant for many years. George finally retired from everything to take it easy and relax.
George had music in his blood from a very early age starting his musical life at the age of 15. He was a self-taught musician , playing both guitar and keyboard. George started his career with Ronnie & the Silvertones, then moving on to the Spi-Dells, Jim Scott and the Crusaders, Straight, Generation, Gerry Vallee and the Entertainers, just to name a few. But his pride and joy was Rebound, which he founded. He played in clubs throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the Connecticut area. George played as opening band for Herb Reed & the Platters, the Marvelettes and comedian Bucky Lewis , who recently performed at Whites of Westport. His band played many private gigs for weddings, anniversaries, political parties, birthdays and family gatherings. George had a great voice, was a fun loving, happy musician and man who loved music and made many friends everywhere he went throughout his lifetime. George even sang on vacation in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Another love was the water and fishing on his boat the "SuzieQ." George belonged to the Fall River Bowling Green Fishing Club for many years and at one time was President. He loved his weekend fishing trips and tournaments, meeting up with the guys to weigh in and get the congratulatory drink! He always thought of them as his special friends and fishing buddies.
George loved his family and friends. He made friends very easily and enjoyed many, many family get togethers at birthdays, weddings or any excuse for a party - even a cesspool party!! His birthday was on Halloween and family and friends would get together to wish him a happy birthday with dinner, playing games and of course, wearing Halloween costumes!
George was a generous man, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
"How lucky we are to have somebody who makes saying goodbye to, so very hard!"
Including his wife, he is survived by a son: Chad Santos and his partner Sara Lopes; a step-son: Kevin Broadbent and his wife Sarah; 3 step-daughters: Debra Pilkington, Lynda Roderick and her husband Chris and Karen Pilkington; a brother: Albert Santos; 2 half -sisters: Stella Pacheco and Linda McGovern; a half-brother: Christiano Teixeira, Jr. and his wife Christine; 5 grandchildren: Cortney Croteau, Corey Croteau and his wife Nakita, Emma Rose Santucci, Dakota Broadbent and Nova Broadbent; 4 great grandchildren: Ava Croteau, Drayce Croteau, Kole Pellerin and Kameron Pellerin; and several nieces and nephews.
He was step-father of the late Khristine Pedro-Souza.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Monday, July 31, 2023 from the Potter Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Grace Church, Westport at 11:00 A.M.
Calling hours Sunday from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Interment will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Special thank you to the doctor and nurse staff at the VA Dialysis Unit at the VA Hospital in RI, the nurses and staff at Rhode Island Hospital and the Southern New England Rehabilitation Center for your kindness and support taking care of George during the past few months. Many friends were made and will not be forgotten.