Joseph Santos

Joseph "Joe" Santos, 66, passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2026, from a massive heart attack while shoveling snow at his home. Joe's sudden passing has left his family heartbroken, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Joe was born in 1959 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to the late Domingos Pereira Santos and Maria Irene (Tavares) Santos. He attended Freedom High School and Northampton Community College in Bethlehem.

At the age of 21, Joe moved to California, beginning a new chapter of life on the West Coast. It was in Los Angeles that he met the love of his life, Kathleen "Kat" Kouk, whom he later married. Joe and Kat built their life together in Los Angeles until 2014, when they returned to the East Coast and settled in the Baltimore area to be closer to family.

Joe worked for many years as a dispatcher and courier for various delivery services in both Los Angeles and Baltimore, most recently with MedSpeed.

Joe will be remembered for his steady presence and dry sense of humor. He also had the very best stories - shaped by a wide variety of life experiences - and family and friends loved hearing him share them. Joe was a devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan, cheering them on with the kind of loyalty that never faded.

In addition to his wife, Kat, Joe is survived by his sister, Gracinda "Cindy" Glick, and his brother, Mark V. Santos. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Kandace (Maximillion) Derringer and Kevin (Lyndsey) Myers, and his cherished grandchildren, Dean and Kensi Derringer, who will always remember him as their PopPop.

Joe was a cherished uncle to eight nieces and nephews, fifteen great-nieces and nephews, and five great-great-nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a family who loved him dearly and will carry his memory always.

His stories, humor, and love will live on in everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Joseph will be laid to rest with his parents in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Saturday March 14, 2026 at 11:30am at Holy Saviour Cemetery, 2575 Linden Street, Bethlehem. Please gather at the entrance of the cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Maryland on May 23, 2026, 11:30-3:30.