Luis E. Santos

To Everything there is a season, an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

A Time to be Born: Luis Emilio Santos, was born in Fort Buchanan, US Army Base, Puerto Rico, on May 28, 1940, to Maria Diaz Santos & TSgt. Demetrio Santos (Both preceded him in death.), Luis attended Pentecostal Churches, Rochester, New York.

Luis graduated from East High School in Rochester, New York, with Honors. While a senior at East High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve on his 17th birthday. After graduation, he went on active duty boot camp at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, North Carolina. There he distinguished himself & was promoted to Private First Class during the graduation ceremony from boot camp.

A time for war & a time for peace: After graduation from Parris Island, he was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He served with distinction with the American Land Forces, Middle East, Lebanon in 1958. Upon returning to camp Lejeune, NC Luis was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

After his 18th birthday Luis volunteered as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Marines as the French forces were pulling out of Vietnam. On his second tour of duty due to his combat experience he received a battlefield commission.
Luis also served with the 1st Bn, 9th Marines as a captain & company commander in the I-Corps battle at the DMC, Vietnam. He was wounded & was hospitalized for 13 months at various military hospitals overseas & stateside. He was awarded the Navy Cross & Silver Star for his actions during that battle. He later served another four tours of duty as a company, & battalion commander in the Vietnam War.
He is a proud life member of the American Legion's Post 468 in Rochester, New York, the Marine Corps League, the Marine Corps Association, The Retired Officers Association, & many other military organizations. Luis returned to Rochester, New York, after his service in the United States Marines in Vietnam, overseas & stateside. He was employed by General Motors (Rochester Products). He retired as Staff Executive of the Quality & Reliability Engineering Departments at the World Engineering Center in Flint, Michigan.

A Time to Love: Luis met his future wife Lydia Angelica Velez while on recuperative leave from war injuries sustained in Vietnam; they were married on July 15, 1960 & had three daughters, Mary Anne Vershay (Annie) (Steve Vershay), Shirley Anne Barry (Steve Barry), & Kathy Lynn. After retirement from General Motors, he & Lydia moved to Lakeland & Coral Springs, Florida. They lived in Florida for 30 years & moved back to Rochester, NY on 2016 to be closer to their daughters & grandchildren.

A Time to Build: While working at General Motors, Luis held many upper management positions & retired as Staff Executive of Quality & Reliability Engineering at the World Engineering Center, Flint Michigan. He played a key role securing employment at General Motors for many people in the Rochester Area. During his tenure at General Motors, he became an alumnus of the GMI University completing his Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering. Luis was an avid boater, fisherman, and hunter. He enjoyed carpentry, water skiing, scuba diving, gardening, & solving mechanical problems.

A Time of Peace: God's Chariot swung low before sunrise on May 24, 2022, to carry Luis E. Santos, peacefully home to be with his heavenly Father Jesus Christ. He leaves to cherish his memories here on life his three children, Mary Anne (Annie) Vershay, Shirley Anne Barry, Kathy Lynn Santos, and six grandchildren, Nicole Camiolo, Ashley Vershay, Stephanie Leigh Barry, Lauren Barry, Michelle Barry, & Sean David Barry.