Santiago De La Torre Gutierrez

Santiago De La Torre Gutierrez passed from this life in peace at home in Chandler, Arizona surrounded by his family.  He was 92.

Santiago was born in La Capilla de Milpillas, Jalisco, Mexico on July 25, 1930, to parents Jose Maria De La Torre Munoz and Carmen Gutierrez Gonzalez.  Santiago had 18 brothers and sisters.

He is preceded in death by his wife Carmela Jauregui Contreras, a son Eduardo De La Torre and a grandson Marcos Hernandez.

He is survived by 11 children.  Alicia Dudding (John), Antonia Tijerina (Joe (d) ), Evelia Ortiz (David), Francisco De La Torre (Martha), Candido De La Torre (Olivia), Maria del Refugio De La Torre, Teresa Ortiz (Christopher) Maria Elena De La Torre, Maria de Jesus Dudding (Carl) Susana De La Torre, Carina Labbe (Adam) along with 36 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Santiago was a farmer and started working as a migrant worker through the US sanctioned Bracero Program that brought Mexican laborers to work primarily in agriculture due to US manpower shortfall during WW2. Since 1951, Santiago continued to work in the US commuting back and forth between America and Mexico.

In 1956 Santiago married the beautiful Carmela Jauregui Contreras. They worked hard together on their ranch in Mexico while eventually raising 9 daughters and 2 sons. Growing tired of being periodically separated from his family, Santiago moved the family to Chandler, Arizona in 1978. It was a very difficult transition for the young family as they did not know English at the time.

For over a decade Santiago De La Torre worked at Pylman Dairy. The family settled in their permanent residence in Chandler, Arizona where Santiago eventually retired and raised his own livestock of dairy cows and sold cheese he made from the milk.

Santiago was indeed a determined and eager man and showed his family the significant value of a strong work ethic. He was a strong Catholic man, and his faith was a very important part of his life. He was very proud of his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Whitney & Murphy Bueler Chapel, 14 W. Hulet Drive, Chandler, Arizona 85225.

A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 230 W. Galveston Street, Chandler, Arizona 85225.

Interment will follow the service with an escorted procession to Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road Chandler, Arizona 85248.