Virgilio M. Santos

Virgilio Montoya Santos of Center Conway, NH, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on April 17th, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer and kidney disease. He was born in Manila, Philippines, on October 4th, 1951, the fifth child of Iluminado and Valentina Santos. Virgilio grew up with dirt under his nails and the rhythm of the seasons shaping his days. His parents owned a landscaping and gardening service in the Philippines, and from a young age, he learned the value of hard work. He always woke up at the crack of dawn, loading trucks and heading out before the sun rose too high. Through this work, he came to understand that landscaping was not just about making things look beautiful—it was about patience, discipline, and care. He saw how a neglected yard could be transformed, and how something as simple as planting a tree could outlast you in the most meaningful way. These lessons stayed with him throughout his life, shaping his strong work ethic and deep appreciation for building something with his hands. He had a deep love for cars—one that went far beyond simply driving them. He had a natural ability to see potential where others might see wear and tear, and with patience and skill, he could bring vehicles back to life. Whether he was working under the hood or restoring something that needed a second chance, he took great pride in the process. For him, it wasn’t just about fixing cars—it was about the satisfaction of transforming something and making it whole again. Some of his happiest moments were spent sharing that passion with his friends. He cherished the time they spent together talking about cars, working side by side, and enjoying each other’s company. Those moments were filled with laughter, stories, and a strong sense of camaraderie that meant so much to him. Through his love of cars and the friendships he built around them, he created lasting memories that he cherished forever. When he and his family migrated to the United States in the early 90’s, Virgilio settled his family in Belfast, Maine. There, he learned his love for cooking. He spent his years working in the restaurant business, where he became known for his deep passion for food. Food was his love language—he brought people together through his incredible cooking, creating moments of connection, comfort, and joy around every meal. He was a man known for his humor, wisdom, and unwavering strength. He had a special way of making people smile, often with a well-timed joke, while also being someone others turned to for guidance, support, and a listening ear. His strength and generosity touched everyone who knew him. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who took immense pride in his family and cherished every moment spent with them. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brothers, Noli M. Santos, Sr., and Ramon “Monching” Santos. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Angelina C. Santos; his three daughters: Ruby Santos Baranowski and her husband James (Jamie) Baranowski, Jocelyn Santos and her husband Khai Le, and Jenet Santos and her partner, Sovanna Virak; his two grandsons, Gavin and Andrew Le; his brother, Nestor Santos and his wife Erlinda Santos of Searsport, Maine; as well as other siblings in the Philippines and many nieces and nephews. Though his passing leaves a deep void, his legacy of love, laughter, and wisdom will live on in all who were fortunate enough to know him. Wake service will be held on Tuesday, April 21st, at Furber Funeral Home located at 2925 White Mountain Highway in North Conway, NH. 03860 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, where family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate his life. A funeral and memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Virgilio’s memory to a hospice or cancer care organization of your choice.