Alejandro Santiago Villoch

Alejandro Santiago Villoch, age 47, passed away on April 28, 2022. Alejandro was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Pastor Santiago Feliciano and Isabel Villoch Rivera and was raised with his siblings, Norma, Cristian, and Chavely. At the age of 4, Alejandro moved with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alejandro was always a calm, well-behaved, polite, caring, friendly, selfless human being. During his childhood, he enjoyed Star Wars, Star Trek, playing with his siblings and friends. He was a Boy Scout and enjoyed extracurricular activities. At school, he was always so brilliant and creative. He won many awards for his projects. Alejandro enjoyed music like The Beastie Boys and break dancing with his friends. He enjoyed movies like The Goonies, Stand by Me, The Sandlot, Gremlins, and it was a family tradition to watch The Christmas Story movie marathon every single Christmas day. At the age of 14, Alejandro returned with his family to Puerto Rico. He struggled a bit with the Spanish language, but he was so smart he learned it very well. Having his father, Pastor Santiago, been a Civil Engineer, Alejandro showed great interest in wanting to be a Draftsman and Architect. He was amazing and had the talent and creativity to perform such tasks. He was accepted into Escuela Bernardino Bernard Vocational High School , in which he attended as a Civil Engineering student. Right away, he caught the attention of his professors and was among the best of his class. After graduating high school, he continued on to college to focus on an Architectural degree. Alejandro began in Universidad Interamericana de San Germán. It is here, where a beloved classmate and one of his best friends, Camille Cancio, gave him his nickname, Phil, for which he is known now to all his friends and classmates from college and known in the Architectural world. Alejandro, began with a great start. He won many awards for his project designs and was greatly commended by these. He was an inspiration to many of his peers and professors. Even though he was outstanding, not everything came easy to him. Coming from a humble family, he struggled with making it possible to finance his studies and college life. But with great determination and the support of his family, Alejandro was able to make the most out of everything he believed in. During these years in college, he had the opportunity to attend college courses in Paris with his class and created the most wonderful memories there and feeling proud of representing Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, during these years in college, stress, hard-work, lack of sleep, brought Alejandro into developing Diabetes. But with unconditional love and support from family and friends, Alejandro was able to continue focusing on his studies. Later on, Alejandro and many students from his class, transferred to UPPR, Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico. Here he showed outstanding effort and also won many other awards for his projects, among these was AIA Merit Award for: “Nomad Dwelling: Property, House Moving and Urban Growth in Ponce, Puerto Rico 1864-1963”, given on August 23,1999. Alejandro graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 2006. Alejandro was able to work with some Architecture firms in which he designed and developed project designs for his dear hometown Ponce. Later on, he became a College professor at PUCPR Escuela de Arquitectura in Ponce, Puerto Rico from 2009-2015. Alejandro, Phil, was well known among his peers, students, staff, and friends as a determined, passionate, selfless, fair, funny, always willing and eager to please human being.

Alejandro was passionate about politics, World History events, music, movies, and Architecture. Alejandro was always engaging in conversations about everything he loved and was interested in. You would always enjoy listening to his perspective, even if you didn’t agree. He was very adamant about his beliefs, but would always listen to others too. Alejandro was a great friend and always cared for others. He is remembered by his warm heart and how selfless he was. Even though he wouldn’t have much, he shared whatever to make others feel better and happy. Some friends remember how he would turn a simple soup into a glorious soup that reached your soul. Alejandro was a great brother and son to his family. He was always calm, easygoing, and respectful to his family. He enjoyed watching movies, sports, listening to music and going to concerts with his siblings Norma, Cristian, and Chavely. They would share music interests and they would analyze everything about the bands and singers. He and his family would chat every single day on the family chat to share anything from pictures of their children, talk about current events, TV series, movies, or just to simply send emojis to send their love. Alejandro was a great partner to his wife Carmen. He was always pleasing her. He was always willing to make the best in their relationship. Alejandro ‘s most beautiful and important role and lifetime achievement was being a Dad to his son Elias Alejandro Santiago. He has done the most outstanding job of raising him and instilling in him the most beautiful qualities and traits which will help him to be a wonderful person.

Alejandro was a loving father, brother, son and friend. Alejandro enjoyed making others around him happy. Some great times and memories shared by his friends and loved ones are those that he would enjoy cooking and making you enjoy whatever he made. He learned cooking tips from his mother, Isabel, and would be really proud with his turkey and roasted pork. He was also remembered for being joyful and funny. He had a unique way of laughing that was like that of a cartoon character, very genuine and true. Alejandro was very compassionate and loving and cared about others so much. Friends and family would never get a no from him.

Alejandro Santiago Villoch is preceded in death by his father, Santiago Feliciano. He is survived by his mother, Isabel Villoch; siblings, Norma Santiago Villoch, Cristian Santiago Villoch, and Chavely Santiago Villoch; son, Elías Alejandro Santiago; wife, Carmen Morales, goddaughter & niece, Rosario Cristina Lytras Santiago, nieces and nephews, Isabella A. Lázaga Santiago, Leandro Rivera Santiago, Gabriela Santiago Ruiz, Lyan A. Santiago Ruiz, and Evan Santiago Ruiz; close friends, Camille Cancio, Rosabel Almeida, Wanda López Bobonis, Lorely González, and Karen Ramirez; as well as his extended family and dear friends.

“ Lo esencial es invisible a los ojos”, El Principito

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