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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Gerald Santana Jr.

Gerald Santana Jr.
Gerald Santana Jr.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gerald Santana Jr.

Gerald was born on June 29, 1953 in Miami Florida to Gerald and Olga Santana. He passed away peacefully in Ocala, Florida with Carol, his wife of 26 years, by his side.

Gerald also leaves behind daughter Nicole Santana (VT), son, Alexander Santana (WV), granddaughters Elora Leadman (WV) and Isabella Cessna (FL) a sister, Myra Hansen (Mark) (FL), nephews, a niece, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Gerald, known by many as Jerry, grew up in Key West Florida with his family. There, he attended and graduated from Key West High School among the class of 1972. After some brief college courses, Jerry had many accomplishments including a 6 year career with the Key West Police Department where he received a commendation in 1978 for the recapture of an escaped prisoner. He was promoted to Corporal in 1979.

Jerry also started and operated his own Charter business for fishing and diving. To this day his close friends called him ‘Captain’. Jerry was an accomplished diver and spear fisherman. He owned and operated Santana Custom Tile in Ocala for 15 years before embarking on a 21 year career with the Florida Department of Transportation in Big Pine Key, Gainesville and Ocala where he retired as Utility Permits Manager in 2018. Jerry’s favorite hobbies were going to his mountain retreat in Fancy Gap Virginia and shooting landscape photography.

As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses since his baptism in 1986, Jerry made worship and helping others get answers to life’s questions from the Bible a regular part of his life. After his marriage to Carol on August 26, 1995, together they continued sharing the Bible’s promise of Paradise on earth where suffering and sickness will be no more (Revelation 21:4). They both took great comfort in the Resurrection hope that Jesus spoke about (John 5:28-29) – soon – just ahead!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ; Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘World Wide Work’, or to Hospice of Marion County. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers. The Santana Family.