José Antonio Santana was born to Julio and the late Gestrudis Santana, a porter and housewife, in Corozal, Puerto Rico on October 23, 1954. He was immersed in the Catholic community in Puerto Rico that would be his lifelong support from an early age. Jose Antonio Santana was employed by Fleetwood Management, where he worked for 40 years as a porter at Bronxville Glen Condominiums and Fleetwood Acres Cooperative Apartments. He enjoyed helping the tenants and owners of this community along with collaborating with his peers.

Jose Antonio Santana was blessed with a large and loving family in his upbringing. He married Angelina Santana on May 28, 1977, and welcomed a beautiful daughter named Miriam Santana the following year. José Antonio Santana raised Miriam to become a strong, ethical, diligent, and loving person in which these essential upbringings have helped her become an active part of her community and family having been blessed to have two loving children.

José Antonio Santana was the grandfather of Miriam's children. He visited his grandchildren often and was part of their early music classes, family parties, and celebrations. José loved music, he collected a vast array of vinyl records and enjoyed listening and spending time with family and friends. Jose was kind and gentle to the world. He will dearly be missed by his loved ones.

Jose is survived by his daughter, Miriam; his grandchildren Ricardo and Noah Jurado; his brothers; his sisters and his father. Jose is preceded in death by his mother and brother.