Antolene P Santos

ANTOLENE “TONY’ PINEDA SANTOS, 73, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 5:45pm after a long, courageous 4-year battle with leukemia. Up until the very end, Tony was surrounded by his family and their love for him, always there by his side. Tony is very thankful and grateful for his loving family who helped care for him as well as the nurses, doctors, and caregivers who showed him love, kindness, and patience as he struggled with his illness.

Tony was born on January 3, 1945 in Concepcion, Tarlac, Philippines to Angel and Querubina Santos.

He graduated from Holy Angel College and attained a B.A. in Business Administration with a major in marketing. As a young man in his 20s, he worked for Union Carbide and traveled around the Philippines as a field sales representative. His travels led him to meet Estela Flores, whom he married and produced 3 wonderful children with: Dexter, Donovan, and Dorothy. In 1988, he immigrated to San Francisco, California. Tony re-married and together with Helen Woolery, his wife of 30 years, raised two beautiful daughters, Kimberly and Nicole, including his step-son Frenzel. While in California, he continued to excel in his salesmanship selling cars at various car dealerships. In 1998, he moved to Indianapolis, bringing the rest of his family to join him a few years later. Tony worked in the manufacturing and electronics industry with his last job working as a machine operator for NicePak Industries.

At home, Tony had a fondness for the family dogs Princess, Boomer, Pogi, and Roscoe often sneaking them some food scraps underneath the table or treating them to chicken nuggets. He is known for his dry and sarcastic sense of humor, how he delighted in off-color jokes, and his propensity for telling the same jokes and stories (which he subjected his family to repeatedly). Even when dealing with his illness, Tony always maintained a good sense of humor, especially with those around him. 

As a young man, Tony liked to play basketball and chess. Later in life, his other hobbies included playing pool and video games. He liked to frequent flea markets searching for unique and original items, various knick knacks with no rhyme or reason that he would acquire and display at home. He liked to sing BeeGees and The Beatles songs on the karaoke. One of his favorite songs that he liked to sing was “To Be Loved” by Jackie Wilson, a song he associates with the experience of his youth and of which his family fondly associates with him now. Tony loved to collect and expand his library of movies, with his favorite genre being action movies. He is also an advocate of the second amendment.

Tony inherited his mother’s culinary skills and, when inspired, treated his family to his cooking. He loved trying new foods and often explored various food places in the city. In his spare time at home, he was often found watching food channels and programs on TV or YouTube. His way of expressing love was in the form of treating people to his favorite eateries and restaurants around town.

Tony lived a life that was full of challenges and struggles, his experiences helping define and build the character that he’s known for by family and friends. But Tony also lived a life that was full of joy and rewards reflected in his family and their accomplishments. A man of faith, he was always guided by his devotion and beliefs. In his role as a father, husband, and friend, he may not have been perfect, but he undoubtedly did his level best. The influence of his perseverance, dedication, and devotion to his family and friends will continue to be felt. Towards the end of his life, his grandchildren Ruby, Tristan, and Evan were what brought smiles to his face and made him want to endure and live a little longer to see them grow.

Tony is survived by his wife Helen Woolery; his children Nicole, Kimberly, Dorothy, Donovan, Dexter and his step-son Frenzel; and his grandchildren Ruby, Tristan, and Evan. Tony was a loving father, husband, and grandfather to all. He was a good man and will be sorely missed.