Victorino Mojica Santos Obituary (1939 - 2024)

Victorino (Victor) Santos Sr. November 8, 1939 ~ January 9, 2024 Victor Santos, a long-time resident of Brawley, California, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Desert Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the age of 84. Victor was born on November 8, 1939 in Brawley, California to parents Julian Santos and Juana Mojica. Victor attended Brawley schools from Elementary through High School where he played in the Brawley Union High School Marching Band. After graduating high school and college, he went to live a brief time in Gilroy and Los Angeles with his sisters in search of job opportunities. After returning to Brawley, California in the 1950s, he continued his love for music and played with numerous bands like the Warlocks, The Unknowns and The Marcianos. During the time Victor played with The Marcianos Orchestra Band, they were televised on a station in Yuma, Arizona that was famous for playing mambo style music. In 1955, Victor and members of the Unknowns began a new band, Los Continentales. He had the pleasure and honor of playing with numerous talented musicians from all over Imperial Valley until 1980, when Victor decided to leave the legendary band of Los Continentales; after 25 years, to his nephew Richard Diaz, which continues the legacy of the band that was began by Victor to this day. In 1960, Victor enlisted in the Army National Guard where he served until 1964. In 1961, Victor managed a neighborhood grocery store on H Street in Brawley, where he met the love of his life Ruth Lopez, who he later married. In 1962, he left the neighborhood store and began working at Western Auto Store. Soon after, he began working for the United States Postal Service in Brawley. He kept his same delivery route for most of his 40 years as a mail carrier. In those days, he was known for walking his entire route and interacted with the individuals living in that area. Victor made numerous friends while delivering on this route and some of those individuals became like family to him. Victor retired from the United States Postal Service in 2002. In 1975, Victor also began playing with the church choir at Saint Margaret Mary Church until the pandemic. In 1979, he attended a weekend with the Cursillo Movement. It recharged his love with doing the work for God and began to dedicate his time to the church completely. Victor and Ruth also had the pleasure of hosting a weekly prayer bible study group in their home for over 15 years. Victor and Ruth also had the contentment in their heart when participating in helping Deacon Marcos and the Lay Brothers of the poor in the mid 1990's, in giving to those in need of food, blankets, toys etc. Victor is preceded in death by his parents, Julian Santos and Juana Mojica; Brothers, Wenceslao Santos, Juan Santos, Oscar Santos, Sisters: Mary Diaz, Dorothy Ballesteros, Amalia Ramirez. He is survived by his Wife of 63 years Ruth (Cuca) Santos, Daughter and Son in Law, Sophia and Tino Contreras; Son, Victor Santos Jr. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren Victor Santos III, Desirey and Amanda Contreras, and Great-Grandson Damien Wayne Honeysuckle, as well as his sisters, Helen Trujillo of Gilroy, CA., Rafaela Nunez of Brawley, CA, Lina Quintana (William) of Hesperia, Sister in Laws Esperanza and Priscilla Santos of Brawley, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. Services for Victor Santos will be held on Thursday January 25, 2024 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Brawley, CA. Viewing will begin at 9:00 am, Rosary 10 am, Mass 11 am, Burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery.