Fulton Santiago Marquez
August 19, 1958 – July 27, 2024
Fultonsheen (“Fulton”) Santiago Marquez was born in Manila, Philippines on August 19th, 1958.
He grew up in Manila, attended Colegio de San Juan de Letran and belonged to the Letran Boys Choir and Siena Glee Club. Though Fulton immigrated to the United States in 1976, and lived there until his passing, neither geography nor time would ever truly separate him from his friends and family in the Philippines. He always remained closely connected to his homeland.
In the US, he and his younger brother, Benjo, initially landed in Cincinnati, Ohio. There they briefly lived with his Kuya Tony, Tony’ wife, Julie, and their family and worked at the local Kroger grocery store. Later, Fulton and Benjo headed west, to join their sister, Yolanda, and parents in Los Angeles and LA became Fulton’s home away from home. There, he established deep roots along with Benjo, Ate Yoly, Ate Fides, and his beloved titas, nieces and nephews.
He adopted LA life quickly playing guitar in Dream Company (aka Pangarap Band) with Benjo and stepped forward as the lead vocalist on their covers of the Cars’ My Best Friend’s Girl, Just What I Needed, and Queen’s We Will Rock You. Fulton and Benjo were both brothers and close friends. Family gatherings were frequent, large, and fun and Fulton was always a central figure at the parties. He was the guy who made everyone feel welcomed and comfortable.
Fulton loved Barrio Fiesta in Glendale and if a restaurant had a good salt and pepper pork chop, that was usually his order. He was a foodie at heart and particularly enjoyed his Filipino food. He loved attending concerts, watching movies, and his favorite book was “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage.”
Fulton celebrated the successes of others more than his own. He was blessed with a carefree spirit and the ability to bring joy to those around him. He was steadfast in his devotion to friends and family. He cared for his mother when she was sick, and more recently, was primary caregiver to his sister Fides for the last 5 years of her life. He so willingly and happily cared for his sister often taking her on his driving routes through LA, eating at their favorite restaurants and spending time with friends and family.
Fulton was one unique human being. He once ran a half marathon though he had never run more than five miles, just to spend time with family. If you needed anything – a bicycle for commuting to work – he would deliver one to your doorstep. If you realized you forgot your passport before a flight at LAX, he would rush it to you. If you needed a campfire and only had wet logs, he was determined to start one. If you needed a ride after a late-night concert, he would make sure you got home safe – No questions, no expectations. He was just that kind of guy.
Fulton didn’t need much in terms of material things. He was an example to others that friends and family, not money and possessions, are really what make the world go round. He would say his approach to life was “a piece of cake”, perhaps difficult for most of us to do: Let things go, don’t hold on to grudges, hurt and disappointments, just enjoy life and love. A favorite quote of his was “If you want to be happy, show compassion. If you want to make others happy, show compassion.”
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fulton moved to Washington state along with Ate Yoly to be closer to his nephew, Joseph. On Camano Island, they enjoyed island life with views of the ocean from their home, hourly fly by’s of bald eagles and also trying his luck at the Angel of The Winds Casino. His nephews, Joseph and Anthony, traveled with and visited them often and as their health declined, helped transition them to Viewhaven in Seattle, a care home near Joseph. Uncle Fulton spent his final two years there. Like everywhere he went, he made friends easily. Fulton was adored by many. Numerous friends and family often came to visit him. In his final days, he was surrounded by family and by a great deal of love.
Fulton was preceded in death by his parents Natividad and Leonardo, and his siblings Antonio and Fides. Fulton was a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a caregiver and a freaking rockstar.
Much love, appreciation and gratitude to the Viewhaven/Wedgwood Gardens staff and Evergreen Hospice for their care of our beloved uncle. To Cousin Jay, thank you for holding our Uncle Fulton. He loved you and was so proud of you. He will always be your forever Mac.