Santos Leon Jr.

Santos "Junior" Leon Jr., USMC, of Chelsea, formerly of Philadelphia, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 at his home in Chelsea, at the age of 66.

Beloved husband of the late Michel (Callahan) Leon.

Devoted father to Aaron J. Callahan-Leon of Chelsea.

Loving son to Teresa Nazario and the late Santos Leon Sr. 

Adored brother to Baldwin Leon and his wife Jackie of Saugus, Stephen Leon of Fall River, Shirley Gonzalez and her husband Frank of Philadelphia, Pa., Nancy Leon and her loving companion James Duffy of New York, and Robert Leon and his wife Gabriela, of Lynn.    

Santos also leaves behind numerous loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends

Family and friends will honor Santos's life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Monday, May 16th from 4:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. Immediate family members of Santos will gather again on Tuesday, May 17th at 8:30a.m. before leaving in funeral procession by Santos's home at 151 Grove Street, then to St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea for a 10:00a.m. funeral mass in celebration of Santos's life.  Extended family and friends are kindly asked to meet directly at St. Rose Church, at 9:45a.m. and park behind the rectory directly across from the church. Santos will be laid to rest side by side with his wife Michel, at a later date. 

Santos, or how he was affectionally known simply as "Junior", was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on November 5th, 1955 to his parents Teresa and Santos Sr.  Shortly after being born the family relocated to Philadelphia, Pa where he would attended St. Bonaventure Catholic School and then went onto Thomas A. Edison High School, also in Philadelphia, where he graduated with the class of 1973.  Shortly after graduating Santos enlisted in the United States Marine Corps., in February of 1974 where he would complete 8 years of honorable service to his country obtaining the rank of E5 Sergeant.  During his time as a US Marine he received numerous awards during his career to include two good conduct medals, national defense service ribbon, overseas service ribbon, and marksman rifle badge. After leaving the United State Marine Corps, Santos relocated to Chelsea where he began working for the United States Postal Service as an associate in the Chelsea, Ma sorting center eventually becoming the supervisor of operations and retiring in 2016 after a lengthy career.  Santos enjoyed working out at the YMCA in Chelsea where he made numerous life long friends, and he also had a passion for bowling.  Those who knew Santos could tell you that he was anything "Philly" including all of their great sports teams and it was rear not to see him sporting a Philly team jersey, but his passion was the Philadelphia Eagles, always chanting "The Eagles' Victory Song", Fly Eagles Fly! on the road to victory (Fight! Fight! Fight!) fight Eagles fight! Score a touchdown 1,2,3! (1! 2! 3!) Hit 'em low! Hit 'em high! and watch our Eagles Fly! on the road to victory! E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles! 

Santos was known as the Godfather of Uncles to Robert Jr., Giselle, Christian, Michael, Cristina, David, Ally, Iesha, Gilly, Jessica, Janessa, Jennifer, Yalitza, Yesenia, Stephanie, Louie, Brittney, Shane, Franky, and Sabrina.  It certainly wasn't uncommon for Santos's, who was the oldest of his siblings, to get a call from time to time from his brothers and sisters to be the disciplinarian on this group of 20 of his nieces and nephews.  Santos would show up and take charge, in only a way he could, as a United States Marine, and bring his love and affection not just to them but his entire family because he was always their protector. Santos was also known as the Mayor of Grove Street, Chelsea and loved to play dominos, softball and had a strong passion for jazz music.  Santos will be sorely missed by all who knew him and may he rest in eternal happiness. 

Ask Me What I Was 

I'll reply with what I've done.

Those things others would not do, I did;

Those rivers others would not swim, I swam;

Those hills others would not climb, I conquered;

Those bridges others would not cross, I crossed;

I have celebrated. I have mourned.

I have smiled and I have frowned.

I have seen death and felt its warm breath. It did not faze me,

for I was different, I was a warrior. 

You asked me what I was? It was my destiny, 

Until my last breath, 

to be a United States Marine. 

And my spirit shall live forever. 

Semper Fidelis

For I was, am and shall forever be a 

"United States Marine"