Teodoro “Teddy” Santaguida, 77, a local music legend, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2014 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Satriano, Italy to the late Vincenzo and Carmela Santaguida, Teddy resided in South Plainfield when he moved to the USA, and played for the Westfield Lion’s Soccer League in the 1950’s. A former resident of Asbury Park, Teddy moved to Brick in 1971, where he raised his loving family. Teddy was an Electrician by trade but his true passion was playing Italian music. An area musician for over 50 years; he was best known for leading “Teddy and the Gondoliers” and was the house band at Martell’s Sea Breeze for more than 18 years. He made his own records, and continued playing and creating music throughout his life. Teddy was a devoted husband and father, who loved bocce, soccer, Monmouth and Freehold Park, drinking espresso, making homemade wine, planting his garden, and spending quality time with his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his dear brothers Fulvio, Giuseppe, and Dante Santaguida.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 42 years Michele Chillemi Santaguida, his loving children, Ted Santaguida, and Dr. Melissa DeLuca and husband Joseph, his dear sisters Maria Santaguida, Concetta Arena and husband Dominic, and Rosa Santaguida Maguri. He was given a second chance at life with a kidney donation from his nephew Vinnie, and leaves behind many loved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. To all of them, August 12, 2014 truly was “the day the music died.”
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 2:00 to 6:00PM at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30AM on Monday, August 18th at Church of the Epiphany, Brick. Entombment will follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery, Lakewood.
For directions and condolences, please visit www.OBrienFuneralHome.com

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