Santiago P. Malavasi Mora passed peacefully on Thursday May 28, 2020 at Treasure Coast Hospice in Fort Pierce, FL surrounded by his loving wife Norma, his children, and his grandchildren. Santiago was a long-time resident of West Palm Beach, FL prior to moving to Port St. Lucie in 2005.
Born on October 23, 1940 in Cartago, Costa Rica to Santiago Silvestre del Socorro Malavasi Sanabria and Coralia Malavasi Mora, Santiago grew up with his eight brothers and sisters in an area of Tres Rios, Costa Rica known as “La Carpintera”. An accomplished student, he earned the Scholar’s Medal of Honor from the prestigious “La Salle” high school. Intelligent and ambitious, Santiago chose to study abroad moving to Gainesville, FL when he was only 17 years old graduating in 1965 from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. While at the University, Santiago met the love of his life, Norma Beatriz Gargiulo. The couple were married in January of 1965 and shortly after the birth of their first daughter, moved first to Costa Rica and then to West Palm Beach, FL.
Serving as President and Principal Engineer of Rossi and Malavasi Engineers, Inc. from 1972 to 2011, Santiago gained a reputation as a respected civil engineer. Together with his business partner, Enrico “Ric” Rossi, Santiago founded his company after working six years for Brockway, Owen, and Anderson Civil Engineers, Inc. in West Palm Beach. Some of his earlier and most notable accomplishments include assignments for the design of the Naval Facilities Command in the Wide-awake Field Ascension Island, the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in Andros Island, and for the U.S. Air Force base in Cape Canaveral. Over the course of his lifetime, he was a partner in and developer of several communities in South Florida. From 1985-1993, Santiago served as President and Design engineer of the company RMS2, Inc. completing several major publicly owned projects including many roadway improvements and highways for Palm Beach County and for the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) as well as the Westward Expansion of the City of West Palm Beach, the Leisureville Residential Project, and the Quantum Park of Commerce in Boynton Beach. As Developer in charge of the West Jensen Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in Martin County, he directed the planning, design, and approvals in addition to the construction of the site improvements and marketing of the project to national firms. To his business associates, Santiago was an accomplished civil engineer and a loyal colleague whose optimism, work ethic, and sense of humor made him a lifelong friend.
As a younger man, Santiago especially enjoyed music and singing ballads. He is remembered by his wife as a handsome, romantic, loving husband who bought her roses and spent his life working tirelessly for his family. Even in later years, he helped her with cleaning and yard work well beyond what most his age would have been able to manage. He was her constant companion and her closest confidante and friend. His knowledge of history and civics were exceptional. Together they spent evenings discussing world events and movies such as his favorite film, Life is Beautiful. She will always remember how he taught her to view the world through the lens of historical precedent and reasoning. During his final years with Norma, Santiago grew even closer to his wife through their mutual love of stories. Theirs is an unbreakable bond that will last for all time.
Santiago was a lifelong reader who enjoyed spy novels, political thrillers, and the literary classics often engaging with his family in deep discussion of a particular philosophy or theme. He enjoyed discussing politics and the news of the day with his oldest son, Santiago, Jr. and was especially close to and spent most of his final years working with his youngest son, Adrian, assembling electrical projects and practicing martial arts. One of his favorite pastimes was talking on the phone, especially with his grandson, Peter, who although now living in Massachusetts, remained as close as a son. Santiago especially looked forward to receiving emails and photos from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved spending time with them whenever possible in person and over the phone. Santiago longed for his family to be near, especially his youngest daughter, Karen, who he spoke to often although she had moved. Karen had worked for years as his closest ally and employee along with her husband James and it was his dream that she would do so again. Sadly, James passed in 2008. Although separated by distance, Santiago made it a point to stay close to his family. He continued to care for and communicate often with his former son-in-law, Pedro Morales, also from Costa Rica and father of his oldest grandchildren, and spoke regularly with his extended family in Costa Rica sharing family stories and news.
For most of his active adult years, Santiago traveled to Costa Rica for summer vacations and holidays bearing gifts and hosting large parties for all of his extended family to enjoy. Later in life, he stopped traveling, but enjoyed walking, reading, and watching the news. He never retired completely, however, and continued to spend most of his time working and caring for his family. Santiago loved his work in land development and continued to be actively involved in many real estate development and engineering projects until the very end. He worked closely with his oldest daughter, Janine, teaching her all he could about land development in hopes that she would continue his legacy. Santiago earned many certificates of achievement and was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers as well as the Florida Engineering Society receiving recognition throughout his life for his projects and was in the process of renewing his certification in civil engineering just prior to his passing.
Known for his larger than life personality, Santiago had a jovial spirit and a fondness for storytelling. He was a family man who was always ready to lend a hand or provide encouragement. Santiago lived for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who fondly called him “Foo-fah”, a nickname given to him by his oldest grandson, Peter, who was especially close to him and whom Santiago loved dearly. Santiago’s storytelling and inspirational talks helped his grandchildren to overcome many of life’s challenges. “Foo-fah” was a visionary, who made it possible for others to see themselves not just for what they were, but for what they could become. For years he spoke about traveling on a Safari with his oldest grand-daughter, Carina, whom he fondly called “Tai-Pan”. He told stories of travels to other worlds, hoping to have them one day illustrated by his grandson, Christopher. Santiago spent countless hours teaching his two youngest grandchildren, Michael and Miranda, math and science, encouraging them to never give up and to work to fulfill their dreams. More than anything, Santiago wanted his grandchildren to surpass his accomplishments and firmly believed in their talents proudly sharing their achievements with extended family and friends. Santiago was an extraordinarily dedicated grandfather who often picked up his grandchildren from elementary, middle, and high school, and even college transporting them to doctor’s appointments, academic gatherings, and other events. He was a constant in their lives and the backbone of his family.
During the last few years of his life and especially following the death of his two closest siblings, Santiago became deeply interested in spiritual matters reading the bible daily and often quoting scripture to others to help them through difficult times. He loved going to church on Sundays and was saddened when he no longer could attend due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Nevertheless, he found joy in life and the last few days before his stroke on Thursday the 22nd of May were among his best. During those last few days, Santiago finalized his plans to develop a townhome community in Port Saint Lucie with his friends and long-time business associates. He spoke of the future with optimism, hope, and happiness.
Santiago will always be loved by his family, cherished by his wife, Norma, his sister Ines Gutierrez Malavasi, her husband, Miguel Gutierrez, and remembered fondly by his close friends and business associates. Santiago will forever be a part of his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He will continue to be loved dearly by his four children, Janine, Santiago Jr., Karen, and Adrian, by his grandchildren, Peter, Carina, Christopher, Michael, and Miranda, and by his great-grandchildren, Malia, Parker, Lorelei, and Tristan. Those who will also sadly miss him include his many close friends and business associates, his extended family members in Costa Rica, especially his loving nieces and nephews, and others who knew him to be a kind and hardworking man. Santiago was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Claudio Malavasi, Alquiles Malavasi, Juan Malavasi, Alfonso Malavasi, his sister, Emily Grant Malavasi, and his son-in-law, James Barnwell III. He is survived by his wife and children, his sisters Ines Gutierrez Malavasi and Rita Cantillo of Tres Rios, Costa Rica, and his brother, Bernardo Malavasi.
A memorial service will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in West Palm Beach, FL on Friday June 26th, 2020 at 11:30 am. A Celebration of Santiago's life is planned for family and friends for a later date this year.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either:
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (800) 805-5856, www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
or
Treasure Coast Hospice (772) 403-4547, https://www.treasurehealth.org/292/Donate
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