Trinidad Santellana

Trinidad A. "Tony" Santellana was born in 1927 in San Antonio, Texas to Usevio and Esperanza. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946-1947 where he served as an Army Medic. He was married for 73 years to his sweetheart, Vickie Briseno Santellana.

San Antonio was his hometown and he always talked of going back "home" and settling down. However, life had other plans in store for the young couple. They built a successful life in Toledo, Ohio. Tony and Vickie were well known in the Latino community. They shared a love of family and fellowship. They had eight children together, Jesse, Mary, Rosie, Lucy, Linda, Vicky, Joey and Tina.

Tony was a good son to his mother, Esperanza. He lost his own Father at an early age. He dropped out of school so that he could learn how to care for his widowed mother, and he helped care for his two older brothers, Louie and Jesse, sister, Lupe and younger brother, Freddie.

Tony and Vickie saw a need in the community for fellowship with other Latino families. He is one of the Founding Members of The Latino Club on St. Clair. He started a baseball team, The Bowery Boys. Tony also had leadership abilities and started an organization to bring in and support local musicians. His legacy includes organizing dances and hiring bands for the Latin community to come together. He was an Entrepreneur. Tony started a bar in East Toledo, Tony & Vickie's Cabaret. I know Tony would want to thank the Latino community for their many years of support.

Family was the most important thing to Tony. He loved dogs and baseball, especially the Toledo Mud Hens and the Detroit Tigers. Tony and Vickie loved to play the slots at the Hollywood Casino.

They loved to travel and enjoyed getting away to Tennessee, Florida, Texas, California, and Las Vegas. He was so happy to travel with family and would travel with his daughter, Linda Duell and son-in-law, Phil.

One of the highlights of being the patriarch of the family was walking his daughters down the aisle. He also walked his granddaughter, Erica down the aisle. He loved spoiling his grandchildren, loved teaching them how to walk and talk.

He was a no-nonsense kind of man. He had no time for liars or thieves. He showed his love for his family not in his words but in his deeds. He led by example of what it means to be a decent human being.

He enjoyed the simpler things in life such as a delicious meal. He was an amazing cook. He shared his favorite recipes with his family such as Chicken Mole, Beef Caldo and Bread Pudding. His daughters loved to spoil him, and he would request his favorite foods such as Menudo, Chicken Enchiladas and Beef Tacos.

He was especially proud of his Sons, Jesse, and Joey. Jesse joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam years and Joey became an Entertainer working in Las Vegas.

Dad was proud that his children were born and baptized in the Catholic faith. Education was particularly important to both Tony and Vickie and through their encouragement and support, their children and grandchildren have gone onto higher education. Mom and Dad are proud that their children and grandchildren include an Attorney, Clinical Psychologist, Childhood Education Specialist, Health Care Professionals, Naval Officer, Nurses, Realtors, Security Specialist, and Teachers.

He is survived by his only sister, Lupe Garcia. He is also survived by his eight children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I know that our Mom, Vickie Briseno is dancing again with Dad in Heaven.

The family will receive guests on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home – West Sylvania Chapel, 3655 King Rd, Toledo, where a small service will be held at 6:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022 at Noon at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo. Interment will immediately follow at Toledo Memorial Park.

To share a memory of Tony, or to leave a special message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" tab above.