Arsenio "Junito" Santiago

Arsenio “Junito” Santiago was given the gift of life on December 17, 1974, and he gave it back to the Lord on January 19, 2022. Arsenio was LOVED by every person whose lives he touched. He had that infectious smile and laugh that would light up a room. He was always happy, cheery and a great listener especially with his boys, nieces and nephews who were his pride and joy. He was a father figure to all of those around him despite the fact he was raised without a father. He was always supportive of everyone’s ambitions. He was the glue that held the family together.

Arsenio was also known as Junito, JD, Pops, Junbug, Papi Chulo, Nino Bonito, Johnny Bravo, and Sissy Boy. He is also known as a “Hero,” “Big Strong Man” and “Ultimate Warrior” who can overcome any adversity he faced.

His favorite sayings were: “Vete a la verga,“ “Mama Guevo,” “Me cago en la Puta Madre,” “Que Ricos”!

He was fortunate to have a beautiful family who absolutely loved and cherished him. When he was diagnosed with cancer, the hardest part was accepting his inability to run which was his biggest passion. He was an avid runner, outdoorsman with his favorite passion of laying on the beach with his wife and taking in the sunrays, taking his family on their yearly camping trips, dancing with his wife, sisters, and nieces, and always the life of the party. His favorite thing to do was spending time with his sons and grandson; his boys.

Arsenio decided to be joyful and live his life to the fullest rather than being sad after his diagnosis. He accepted things for the way they were and was at peace when he departed.

To his beloved Bernice, AJ, Christian, Kai, Jason, Jared, Ruben, and Jonah, as well as his Mom, Siblings, Family, Fraternity Brothers  and Friends, just know how precious you ALL were to him. Knowing and loving each one of you was the success story of his life.

We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Arsenio during his 47 years, among them: How to cherish family and friends. Needed to learn math? He was a math expert besides being super bright. Wanted to learn to dance? He was an impressive dancer (any genre with his favorites being salsa and freestyle). He was an avid runner…captain of his track team at James J. Ferris High School. Needed a lending ear? He was the best at it. Have technical issues? He was your man. When it came to anything that required being competitive, he would forget that he was a Father, Brother, Uncle or Friend. Those titles meant nothing because of his competitive nature. He was a sports enthusiast and a hard-core fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Mets. He loved Boxing especially when the Puerto Rican Boxers were part of the match. And lastly, God forbid you touched his hair!!!!!    

Arsenio is survived by his wife Bernice, his children Christian, Arsenio, Jr (AJ), Jason, Jared, Ruben, Jonah, and Grandson Kai Jacob; his mother Carmen; his siblings: Lizette (her children Luis Daniel “Danny” - Arsenio’s Godson, Lizmarie, Andrew, Andrea, Dionne and her grandchildren Angel, Jazlyn, Nyla and Kenzo);  Nilsa (husband Henry and her daughter Ivana – Arsenio’s Goddaughter);  Linnette (husband Juan and her son Luis Enrique “Rico”); Hector aka Pito (wife Sulayka and their children Mila, Julian and Ayvah); Arsenio (wife Priscilla and their children Aaron and Cristian); Omar (wife Dachira and their children Mia and Amahia); Javier (wife Alma); Lumarie (husband Nayaham and their children Luis, Nayeishka, Alanys, and Nayelis); Miguel (his children Angelie, Myleishka, Jovhanska and Matteo); his family members; in-laws, friends, his Lambda Theta Phi fraternity especially the NU Chapter, SP94. Here are a few of his closest brothers: Allen, Bert, Bryant, Diego, Freddy, John Silie, Jorge Aviles, Jorge Tirado, and Santi.

Visitation for Arsenio will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (corner of Stagg Street). Services will begin at 5:00 PM and can be viewed on Facebook Live at the following link: https://fb.me/e/1ZutGqcGX.  For GPS Navigation, it is best to use our parking lot entrance address 14 Stagg Street, Jersey City, NJ 07306.  Overflow Parking: 3210 John F Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306.