Obituary of Johnny Celestino Santistevan

John "Johnny" Santistevan, the beautiful son of John Santistevan and Victoria Marquez, was born on June 9, 1985 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Johnny's short time with us will be remembered by a lasting legacy of warmth, dedication, daring, and care. Anyone who spent time with Johnny - and especially those who gained his trust - know of his dedication well. As a boy, he was playful, never one to miss an opportunity to prank his siblings or tease them with lighthearted nicknames, but Johnny was also the glue of the family, a social presence always within arm's reach of those he loved. Johnny cared. He wanted everyone to know they were included, whatever the occasion. Whether he was hosting a barbecue and cooking his perfectly seasoned steaks, or spending the evening watching a movie with his family, he showed his care through action, even if that action was sometimes wrestling with his siblings or son. Johnny, however, was not only living for people. While those whom Johnny loved remained central, he also kept his own contact with the world. As a young boy living in California, he fell in love with the water. He would spend hours in the Pacific Ocean, enjoying warm afternoons on the pebbly beach of San Clemente. As Johnny's bright boyish smile took a more handsome form through his teenage years, he remained devoted to the peace of the water. While living in Pueblo with his father, it was the Pueblo Reservoir that called him closer. But this relationship, though personal, was not something Johnny would keep to himself. He will be remembered for sharing this love for swimming with his children. As a father, Johnny made a point to find hotels with pools to share his own joy with his children. Even on a recent family vacation to Las Vegas, Johnny included a trip to Lake Meade. Sharing the intimate joys of life with his children, of course, was no exception for Johnny. He was a proud father who loved his children dearly. Johnny is preceded in death by his maternal great-grandmother, Constance Shotgun; his maternal grandparents, Gilbert and Sally Marquez; and his paternal grandmother, Rose Ann Santistevan. He is survived by his children, Celestino Santistevan, Mercedez Santistevan, Marisa Santistevan, Ignacio Santistevan; his girlfriend, Liz Salazar; his father, John Santistevan; his mother, Victoria Marquez; his sisters, Constanzia Santistevan, Andrea Valverde, Esperanza Marquez, Serenity Marquez, and Isabel Marquez; his brothers, Dominiquo Santistevan, and Nathaniel Marquez; his nieces and nephews, Anastacia Santistevan, Eric Santistevan Jr., Zalei Ferris, Nesiah Santistevan, Lynxx Valverde, Analai Marquez, and Venecio Marquez; and numerous cousins. He was also a proud member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Visitation, 3:00PM-5:00PM, Monday, November 28, 2022, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. Funeral Service, 10:00AM, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, Victory Life Church, 2007 East La Salle Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. Graveside Service, 11:30AM, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Events Visitation Monday, November 28, 2022 3:00PM - 5:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Funeral Service Tuesday, November 29, 2022 10:00AM Victory Life Church 2007 East La Salle Street colorado Springs, CO 80909 Graveside Tuesday, November 29, 2022 11:30AM Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-578-6646