Felicito Manahan Santiago

ATHOL - Felicito Manahan Santiago, 82, of 169 High Street, Athol, died Tuesday, December 15, 2009 in the Athol Memorial Hospital after an illness. He was born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, on October 4, 1927, the son of the late Gregorio and the late Elena (Manahan) Santiago. Mr. Santiago was raised and educated in Nueva Ecija and Manila, Philippines. He earned a Bachelor's degree from the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Institute in the Philippines. Upon his graduation he worked as a Naval Architect. During the Vietnam War he worked as a Community Development Officer and was later employed by the Department of Interior and Local Government in the Philippines until his retirement in 1990. Mr. Santiago moved to Athol with his family in 1993 and volunteered for Doctor Amparo's office on Main Street. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and had a great knowledge and fascination of American history. He also enjoyed restoring classic cars and had a great appreciation for classic European cars. He leaves his wife of fifty years, Angela Matibag (Papa) Santiago; five children, Emmanuel Gideon M. Santiago and his wife Ruth of Manila, Philippines, Felani S. Aricheta and her husband Romeo of Lakeland, Florida, Erwin M. Santiago and his companion Vickie Infante of Athol, Joel M. Santiago, Felicitas S. Reyes and her husband Vener, all of Virginia Beach, Virginia; two sisters, Elenita and Ligaya of Philippines; eight grandchildren, Aleli, Ara, Leila, Ralph, Jephry, Claudine, Jordan, Madison; and the MAHYVASMAS families. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol. Calling hours will be held at the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main Street, Athol on Friday, December 18, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. $(document).ready(function(){ });