Carmelo Santiago JR

It is with a heavy heart, but a twinkling eye, that we bid farewell to the man, the legend, Carmelo Santiago Jr., affectionately known to all as Big Jun XL. Born on August 26, 1978, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Carmelo was a man who truly knew how to live. He embodied a quirky blend of humor, humility, dedication, and compassion. As Mark Twain once said, "Humor is mankind's greatest blessing," and Carmelo was the living, breathing (and sometimes snoring) proof of that.

Carmelo was a dedicated family man and a culinary wizard by passion. He knew the ins and outs of a good time, and if you knew him, you knew his brand of fun. His hobbies were as abundant as his laughter: spending time with family, watching football, cooking for the neighborhood (boy, could he flip a burger), and listening to music. He had a knack for creating memories that would leave you chuckling in the middle of a work meeting.

Carmelo was a man of few words when it came to expressing love, but his actions spoke volumes. He may not have loved out loud, but he loved with his whole heart. His family-and most importantly, his grandsons-were his world.

A former resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, Carmelo is survived by his loving wife, Alexandra Esteva; his children Sheila Martinez, Jazmin Santiago, Desean Santiago, Giovani Santiago, Marquis Pellerin, and Chloe; and his grandsons Jasper Santiago, D'mitrius Hargett, and Oreo. He also leaves behind his father Carmelo Santiago; Carmen Jose ( Bonus Mom); Naomi Cintron (mother); sisters Maria Sepulveda, Liz Fuentez, and Cynthia Santiago; and brothers Darien Santiago, Kristopher Santiago, and Jonathan Nunez, also his nieces' and nephews' and his chosen family.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." And Carmelo-you happened to us in the most wonderful, laughter-filled way possible. Your memory will continue to brighten our days.

Friends and family are invited to remember Carmelo on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Puerta Del Cielo® Funeral Home, 730 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01109. As we gather to honor his life, we encourage you to visit the memorial page to leave memories and upload photos that celebrate who he was.

Let's remember Carmelo as he lived: funny, humble, dedicated, compassionate-and always with his best friend, Zeus, by his side.