Eleuterio Maldonado-Santiago Sr.

Eleuterio Maldonado-Santiago Sr., 89, of Easton, PA peacefully passed away on Friday, May 29. Affectionately known as Tello he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather.

Tello was born August 20, 1930, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, and the beloved son of Simon Maldonado. and Maria Santiago.  He grew up in a very large family and was the youngest of 13 children. Tello graduated from the Orocovis High School in Puerto Rico in 1948 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 proudly serving this country in the Korean War and stationed in Fort Buchanan.

Tello arrived in Jersey City, NJ in 1958 and it was then that he began his career as a Butcher at Kohler Delicatessen in Newark NJ. He worked there for 30 years before reluctantly retiring in 1988. He was a member of UFCW Local 174 for all those years he worked at the facility.

Tello was married to the love of his life, Maria Lourdes Negron for 60 memorable years and they raised their 8 children in Jersey City, NJ before relocating to Easton PA.  They would always host huge family gatherings for the holidays but none was bigger nor better than spending Christmas with all the little ones. Maria passed away in October of 2015 and Tello was never the same without his beloved wife.

As the family Patriarch, his greatest joy in life was spending quality time with the family, especially his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who loved, adored, and admired their Abuelo. His children Eleuterio Junior, Michael (deceased), Carlos (deceased), Juan, Marie, Jose (deceased), Maria, and Jorge were his greatest joy and always made him proud. He was especially fond of those moments where his children and sons-in-law who always met the challenge of playing the one game he loved and was a master of, Dominoes. Nothing made his time more enjoyable than to sit at a table and take on all challengers. 

Tello always liked to get together with family and friends to eat, play dominoes, discuss politics and watch his favorite team in the world, the New York Yankees. In addition, he was an avid fan of all his grandchildren’s activities. Attending as many games, performances, competitions, and events as he could. He also loved to watch the softball games in Jersey City and go out to eat with his family at his favorite eateries, Williams Family restaurant and the Hibachi Grill & Century restaurant in Easton.

He would always say that when you pass away you take no riches with you but you leave your reputation behind for people to remember. His reputation as a kind, considerate, honest loving husband and father will live on for generations to come. He is survived by Junior (single), Juan and his spouse Carmen, Marie and her husband Jose, Maria and her husband George and Jorge and his wife Chary. Along with 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. These are the generations that will be entrusted to continue living in his shoes and fulfilling his legacy. 

Services are private under the direction of Finegan Funeral Home in Easton, PA with graveside services and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ. Tello will be sorely missed by everyone. Unfortunately because of the COVID 19 restrictions, the wake will be exclusive to family members. A memorial Mass and celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.