Santiago (Chago) Roldán, 89, of Hartford, CT entered into eternal rest on October 11, 2021. He was born in Yabucoa, PR on July 25, 1932, to the late Luis Roldán Sepulveda and Marcelina Vazquez Alberio. He was the youngest of 18 children. Santiago emigrated to New York City in 1949 at the age of 17. In the early 1950s, he met the love of his life, Rosemarie (Castro) Roldán on the steps of the Gesu Church, a historic Roman Catholic church in Miami, Florida. They married at St. Michael’s church in Hartford on December 27, 1954 and spent the next 65 years building a life together grounded in unconditional love for each other, their 10 children and most of all God. Santiago was a true believer in God. He endured and overcame many obstacles during his life, at times guided only by faith. Faith in God was one of the many virtues he worked tirelessly to instill in his children, leading by example.
He began his 20-year career as a machinist at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford in 1974. He was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Parish and St. Augustine Parish in Hartford where he served on committees, always willing to help others in need.
Santiago truly enjoyed spending time with his family, especially around the holidays. Some of his other favorite things included watching the NY Yankees, playing his guitar and singing church hymns, cooking, watching WWF Wrestling with his grandchildren when they were young, and playing dominoes. His family would like him to be remembered for his unwavering devotion to God, unconditional love for his family and friends, strong work ethic and an unforgettable sense of humor.
A loving husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, he is survived by his only remaining sibling Petra (Roldán) Cintron and her husband Tobi of Yabucoa, PR, his children Luis, Carmen, Thomas, Rose, Santiago Jr., Marcelino, stepdaughter Cecilia and his devoted dog Trouble. In addition, he had 25 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Rosemarie, his youngest daughter, Theresa (Roldán) Gonzalez, his son Jose Antonio Roldán and stepson Patricio Diaz Jr.
The family will receive relatives and friends Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 10-11am at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield, CT. A Christian mass at the funeral home will follow at 11am. Interment will take place at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery (St. Justin’s section), 1 Cottage Grove Rd., Bloomfield. Due to requirements for the Town of Wethersfield, masks will be required for the services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to one of the charities Santiago supported for many years, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Operation Smile. For more information please visit farleysullivan.com.