Liberato Santiago Vega

AIKEN, SC – Mr. Liberato Santiago Vega, 88, beloved husband of Carmen I. Rivas Ortiz Vega, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Born to Nemesio Santiago and Carmen Vega in Puerto Rico on August 17, 1931, he was the youngest of six children. After his mother’s passing, his father, Nemesio, married Angela Gonzalez and they had four daughters together. As a young man, Liberato served in the US Army and was deployed during the Korean Conflict serving three years. Following his service, he was honorably discharged and returned to Puerto Rico. Upon settling in Puerto Rico, Liberato met his future wife Carmen in Orocovis, a little town known as "El Corazón de Puerto Rico.” They soon married and started a family. They had seven children in those early years in Orocovis. They struggled, and supported themselves by farming. Soon, they made a decision to pursue work opportunities and education for their children in Waltham, Massachusetts. They moved their young family from Orocovis to Waltham in June 1963. As they settled into their new home, Liberato continued to support his growing family by gaining employment at a young company that would become Millipore Corporation. Soon their family grew again, adding three more children to their busy household. Now a family of 12, the Santiago’s grew and thrived, putting down deep roots in Waltham. Over the next fifteen years, Liberato continued his work at Millipore and became Manager of Shipping and Receiving. He was hard working, dedicated and committed to providing for his family. He retired in 1979 and returned to Orocovis, Puerto Rico. They built a beautiful home on a hilltop where many years of happy memories were made. His home, his island, his faith and his family were at the center of his life. El corazón de Puerto Rico, Orocovis was his heart. He meticulously tended to his lush gardens, spent time with Carmen, and enjoyed his retirement. Later, Liberato and Carmen settled in Cayey. After Hurricane Maria moved through the island, they made the decision to move to Aiken, South Carolina to be close to their daughter and family. Liberato is lovingly remembered by his wife Carmen, their children, Jose, his wife Sandy, Liberato (predeceased), Jim, his wife Kathy, Gerry his former wife Gail, Ruth, her husband Bill, Nelly, her husband Jerry, Zulma with deceased husband Paul, Eddy, his former wife Donna, Jeffrey (predeceased) with Donna his life long partner, Steve, his former wife Wilda. His step sisters Lourdes, Carmen Socorro, Haydee and Lucia. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great grand-grandchildren and extended family. He was predeceased by his siblings Leonardo, Carmelo, Pablo, Jose and Iris. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. - Romans 14:8 Que Dios te bendiga Papa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans Services. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Liberato Santiago Vega, please visit our flower store.