Gáldar, in mourning for his Favorite Son

Demetrio Suarez and Teodoro Sosa. / C7

Mayor Teodoro Sosa and former mayor Demetrio Suárez highlight the role of Félix Santiago as patron of the region

"An Unexpected Tragedy" This is how the mayor of Gáldar, Teodoro Sosa, describes the news of the death of Félix Santiago.

"It leaves a deep regret in the entire northern region," emphasized the alderman, who confessed that in just a few minutes he had already lost count of the number of messages of condolence that were reaching him for the death of this distinguished son of Gáldar.

«
He has been a very important person, very outstanding for the north, but also for the whole island», he emphasized. "And he has been one in many facets, as a businessman, as a patron of culture, because of his involvement in business organizations or because of his collaboration with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria."

In addition, he underlined his career, "that of
a self made manfrom a very humble family and that started from very low to grow and become a reference ».

That same spirit led him not to become stagnant and to diversify, which is why he emphasizes that he was not limited to the world of construction, but also opted for agriculture, the manufacture of aggregates or real estate development. That "legacy" that he now leaves behind deserves the recognition of his people, which, according to Teodoro Sosa,
will render honors of Favorite Son.

First of all, the mayor decreed
three days of official mourning, from this Friday to Sunday morning, although the corporation will not suspend the acts of the festivities for Santiago Apóstol, since everything is already planned and organized. The flags will fly at half-staff and the family has been offered that the mortal remains of Félix Santiago be veiled in municipal facilities, although it cannot be the City Hall as it is under construction. "The most suitable location is being sought and the Municipal Music Band will also play at his funeral."

Suárez highlights his human facet

The one who was mayor of Gáldar between 1987 and 2003, the socialist Demetrio Suárez, lamented yesterday the death of "an extraordinary person", the "
most powerful businessman that the municipality and the North region have had" in the last decades.

Suárez stressed that Félix Santiago Melián "always collaborated selflessly and actively" with those who approached him for help, praising his human facet.

The former mayor recalled when, faced with the difficulties of the City Council to ensure the supply of water to homes at the end of the 80s of the last century, the businessman offered a conduit on his property between Fontanales and Gáldar to bring water to the houses during the weekends.

“He offered himself without asking for anything in return and lent us the pipe for years,” he explained about the moments before the Bocabarranco desalination plant started up.

Demetrio Suárez also highlighted the amount of
jobs you created the Galician businessman, born in Anzo, both in the agricultural and construction sectors.

"He was a person who gave himself, always a collaborator," said the former mayor.

The City Council of Guía joined in the condolences for the death of Félix Santiago. The mayor, Pedro Rodríguez, showed his most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the businessman on behalf of the entire municipal corporation.

The first mayor recalled the important professional legacy of Félix Santiago in the municipality and throughout the island, his business leadership for several decades in the construction and agriculture sectors, which earned him the unanimous recognition of the most diverse institutions and entities social and economic "for
an exemplary career throughout his life."

He also recalled that in August 2011, within the framework of the patron saint festivities, the City Council dedicated a tribute to him, giving his name to the industrial estate located in Llano Alegre.

Condolences from the ULPGC

The president of the Social Council of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Ángel Tristán Pimienta, deeply regrets the death of the businessman Félix Santiago Melián.

Favorite son of Gáldar, "he was a person who always supported the creation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria", whose
Social Council belonged from January 2004 to December 2005under the presidency of Aureliano Francisco Castellano, representing the Canarian Confederation of Entrepreneurs and to which he contributed with his great experience.

«Félix Santiago was above all a 'self made man', a man made himself, with an innate sense of the company. He was
a true entrepreneur who created a powerful business group with extraordinary skills for social relations. My deepest condolences to his family, "said Ángel Tristán Pimienta.