Santiago Halog Dacanay Sr., 88, died peacefully Friday, December 6, 2019, at his home in North Beach, Maryland. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Josefina Bucassas Dacanay; his son, Santiago "Sonny" Dacanay Jr. and his wife Grace; his granddaughter, Maria-Elisa and her husband William Gallant; his grandson Santiago "Joey" Dacanay III, his wife Michelle and their children, Alexander and Lily; and his grandson Francis "Grayson" Dacanay.

Born and raised in Rosario La Union, Philippines, the son of Vicente Dacanay and Rufina Halog, he was the youngest of five brothers. Santiago graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in agriculture. After teaching agriculture for a few years at the university, he worked for the Development Bank of the Philippines. In 1967, he immigrated to the United States living in Camp Springs, Maryland, joined a year later by his wife and son; and later settling in Dunkirk, Maryland.

He worked as an agronomist for the Smithsonian Institute and Pacific Consultants, traveling to small countries consulting on agriculture and farming projects. After retiring, he took jobs at Frank's Nursery and later as a Project Manager at the University of Maryland. Not one to sit still, he spent his later years working on his yard and was a friendly greeter at the local Dunkirk 7-11. In his retirement, he became an avid golfer and active member of the South Potomac Lions Club.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 15, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane Owings, MD 20736. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church 8816 Chesapeake Ave. North Beach, MD 20714. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

The family would like to thank caregiver Lee as well as social worker Meg, nurse Antoinette, aid Brooke and everyone from Calvert Hospice for their care.