Daniel Antonio Santos, Jr. was born in New Haven, Connecticut, September 16, 1942, the fifth child of ten children born to the late Daniel Antonio and Teresa Fernandes Santos.   Dan departed this life for his eternal resting place on Friday, June 28, 2019.

Dan graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1961 and immediately entered the United States Navy to serve his country aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Hancock. He was deployed to the South China Seas three times during the North Vietnam war and was a recipient of the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal.

At the end of his enlistment, he returned to New Haven and was employed at Pratt & Whitney and Eder Brothers. He also established himself as an entrepreneur with the purchase of Plaza Package Store. During his sixteen-year career at Eder Brothers, he set records in sales and was awarded “Salesman of the Year” on several occasions.

Early in life, Dan married Joyce Turner and they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Felicia and Danielle, whom he loved very much.

He married Margie Rankins in 2010 and immediately embraced her children, NaKeisha and Brandon Wynn and they immediately became heirs to his love of family.

With a God given talent to build trusting relationships, the ability and propensity to learn, his perceptiveness and personal drive to excel, Dan made a successful career in sales. He was employed by Crest Lincoln Mercury in Woodbridge for over twenty-five years. He was a senior salesperson when he retired in July of 2014. During his tenure, he held the position of Business Manager, Assistant Sales Manager, and Sales Manager. Dan served his employer and customers with honesty and integrity, while receiving numerous sales awards.

Dan was a faithful and life-long member of St Martin de Porres Church in New Haven, where he was very supportive of his beloved Pastor, Father Joseph Elko.   Dan was instrumental in all aspects of property maintenance.  He formerly held the office of Vice President of the Parish Council, now the Stewardship Committee, of which he was a member.

Dan was a founding member of The Knights of Peter Claver, St. Martin de Porres Council 266.  He held the office of Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Jr. Grand Knight and Recording Secretary.  On the district level, he held the office of President with thirteen states under his jurisdiction as well as district Area Deputy.

Also active on the National level, Dan held the position as Chair of the Election Committee and Secretary of the Constitution Revision Committee.  At the 2014 Conclave of the National Convention of the Knights of Peter Claver & Ladies Auxiliary, Dan was elected to the office of Supreme Navigator of the Meritorious 4th Degree.

Dan was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, New Haven Chapter.

He was a recipient of many awards, including the Archdiocese of Hartford St. Joseph Award of Merit. Dan also had the distinction of receiving the “Man of the Year” award from the National Negro and Professional Black Women’s Association for his community service.  He was awarded an official citation by the Connecticut State Senate.

He was the founder of the St. Martin’s Toy Ministry, which has served children in the New Haven community for over 30 years.

Dan also served as President of the Board of Directors of New Haven Family Alliance.

Dan had a strong commitment to community and family and strived to promote unity, especially in the Cape Verdean community, by sponsoring, promoting, and supporting events at various venues.

Besides his loving parents, Dan was predeceased in death by sisters; Francis Santos Jackson, Claudia Santos Silva, Elizabeth (Betty) Santos Lewis and a brother; Michael Santos.

Besides his devoted wife, Margie, left behind to mourn his memory, are his beloved children, Felicia (Mark) Moore, and Danielle Santos, both of  Windsor Mill, MD; NaKeisha Wynn, Charlotte, NC and Brandon Wynn, Cromwell, CT; sisters; Rose Santos, New Haven, CT,  Mary Santos, Lithonia, GA, Teresa Jones, West Haven, CT, Gloria Santos Goode, Turnersville, New Jersey, and Joan Kelley, Charlotte, NC.  His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Marc Moore, Sr., Savannah Moore, Alexis Elliott and Roy Elliott, III, all of Windsor Mill, MD, and great grandson, Marc Moore, Jr., Charlotte, NC.

Also mourning his loss are his father and mother-in law, Jessie (with whom he had a very special bond) and Etta Rankins of Ahoskie, NC, two brothers-in law, Jesse (Angela) Rankins, Gastonia, NC, Michael (Cheryl) Rankins, Waxhaw, NC; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Rankins, Charlotte, NC and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special godchildren, too numerous to name.

Dan believed that his success was not measured by what he could get out of life, but by what he gave back.  Dan lived a life of service, generously donating his time, talent and treasure to the church and community.  He never lost sight of the fact that “Only what you do for Christ will last”.

Friends and family may call at St Martin de Porres Church, 136 Dixwell Ave., New Haven Friday from 5-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden Saturday at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Ave., North Haven. The Celentano Funeral Home is caring for Dan’s arrangements.