NEW BRITAIN -- Augustine Z. Santana, 81, of New Britain, CT died Thursday, August 10, 2006 at New Britain General Hospital. Augustine was born in Thornton, Arkansas and was the son of Julio and Caroline (Zavala) Santana. He worked as a radio engineer for WPOP for several years. Augustine was a U.S. Navy veteran during World War II. Augustine is survived by two sons, Jose and Juan, both of New Britain, two daughters, Rosemarie Thibeault of New Britain, and Carolann Norton of Florida, his sister Maria Ojeda of Johnstown, PA, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, several neices and nephews. Funeral and burial services will be private. There are no calling hours. The Paul A. Shaker/Farmingdale Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, CT was in charge of arrangements.

-New Britain Herald, August 12, 2006

Augie was one of a kind. Whether it was his rhetorical "How goes the battle for men's minds and women's bodies?" or "How are things in the land of Zamboango?" or his pearls of wisdom such as "You don't have to study to be stupid; it comes naturally," (sorry, that's merely the translation; I can't say it in the original Spanish) I'm sure I am not the only one of us who will remember our old "compadre" with a smile.

Lee Gordon