74, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2018 surrounded by his loving family in Pawtucket, RI. He was the Husband of Maria "Kinha" Santiago. Born in Brava, Cape Verde, a son of the late Oliveiro Tavares Spencer and Luiza Santiago. Besides his wife he is survived by his children, Jose Manuel Santiago of Cranston, RI, Louise Santiago-Rios and her husband Eddie of New Jersey, Leslie Santiag0-Becerril and husband Marcelino of Pennsylvania, 10 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter and several nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren. He was the brother of Alice Lomba of Brockton, Jose Spencer and his wife Ema of Pawtucket, Ana Spencer Gomes of Sacramento. He was pre-deceased by his sister Ema Tavares Spencer of Holland.
Before retiring in RI, he was a union labor painter in New York City for many years while residing in Jersey City then Toms River, NJ. He loved music and playing his guitar with his friends in "Grupo Cretcheu" where he was surrounded with family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, August 25th at 10am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 291 High St., Pawtucket (Please arrive by 9:45am directly at the church). Burial will follow in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, 661 Prospect St., Pawtucket. Visitation hours will be held Friday, August 24th at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Ave., Lincoln, RI from 4pm - 7pm. Relatives and friends are invited.
Keefe Funeral Home
5 Higginson Avenue
Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865
Telephone 401-725-4253
Thomas H. Keefe, Registered Funeral Director
Copyright 2000 Keefe Funeral Home