Deacon Alfred "Freddy" Santellan passed away on October 20, 2021, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, at the age of 81, with his loving wife of 63 years, Mary, by his side.

Deacon Freddy was born to Apolinar Paul Santellan and Maria Guadalupe Santellan on June 10, 1940, in the Sheffield area and was raised in the East Bottoms of Kansas City, MO. He met the love of his life, Mary Jean Walker, at Whatsoever Community Center and they married on March 21, 1958. At the age of 18 he entered the military, serving in the U.S. Army, Special Forces, 5 ^th SFC, 1 ^st SF, Nha Trang, SO, Vietnam Cong hoa. Deacon Freddy worked at Ford Motor Co. and was a UAW member from 1968 to 1998. He participated in multiple charity events with the UAW and the Ford Plant.

In 1973 Deacon Freddy and wife Mary joined the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.  He followed his calling and was  ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church on June 5, 1981. He continued to serve Our Lord until his death. His deaconate work involved feeding the homeless, visiting prisoners, taking the Holy Eucharist to the sick and dying, caring for the poor, and participating in numerous food drives. He also instructed baptismal and confirmation classes for families and marriage classes for couples.  He served in the following parishes: Saint Francis Seraph, Saint Aloysius, Saint Louis, Holy Cross, and Our Lady of Peace. In addition to his parish duties, he also reached out to the  Hispanic community in these parishes and was an advocate for Spanish-speaking people. Towards the end of Deacon Freddy's active deaconate, he worked in the ministry of Healing and Deliverance for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.  He found this work to be most rewarding for it allowed those who seek a more righteous life the ability to remove blockages and bondages in order to find a more abundant life with Jesus. Deacon Freddy was a 4 ^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver – Council 265.

Freddy was preceded in death by his father Apolinar Santellan, mother Maria Santellan, sister Rosalie "Vicki" Santellan, and infant grandson Julian Santellan. Deacon Freddy leaves behind his beloved wife Mary; sister Sara Pacheco of Kansas City, KS; brother John Santellan of Wichita, KS; sister-in-law Mildred Gambino of North Kansas City, MO; his three daughters Maria Short and husband Dennis, Teresa Martinez and husband Steve, and Regina Garcia; and three sons Paul Santellan, Jose Santellan, and Peter Le-Santellan. Freddy had 12 grandchildren who he adored and prayed for constantly: Ricardo, Angelina, Jessica, Jacque, Nicole, Andrea, Mattie, Savannah, Megan, Kelsey, Bailey, and Donovan; and eight great-grandchildren: Tristan, Lincoln, Violet, Jayce, Harper, Isabella, Scarlett, and Nova.

All services will be at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the Rosary prayed at 6 p.m. Visitation will close at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, followed by entombment at Resurrection Mausoleum, Kansas City North.

Pallbearers: Bobby Vaca, Christopher Vaca, Johnny Vaca, Tyler Santellan, Jaimie Montoya, and John Sotres.

Deacon Freddy dedicated is life in serving our Lord and wanted to be an example to his family and all those he encountered.  Through his years of service and suffering he completed his duty as a servant to the Lord God Almighty on October 20, 2021.  At the end, when our Lord received Deacon Freddy's soul, Our Lord said, "Well done My good and faithful servant".

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com