Santos A Mercado

Santos Angel Mercado
June 11, 1933 – December 7, 2025

Santos Angel Mercado passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on the afternoon of December 7, 2025, in his hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey, at the age of 92. Born in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, on June 11, 1933, he was the beloved son of Herminia Cruz and Carlos Mercado and the eldest of four siblings: Monserate, Carmelo, and Pablo Mercado.

At the age of 24, on New Year’s Eve in 1956, Santos met the love of his life, Blanca Molina, in Brooklyn, New York. They later moved to Jersey City, where they married and started their family in 1958. Santos began his career at the historic Hot Dog stand, Boulevard Drinks, in Journal Square. In 1962, he and Blanca opened their own restaurant, Paradise Corner (also known as Pancho’s Place), on the corner of Newark Avenue  and Jersey Avenue in downtown Jersey City. For two decades, they brought authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and a warm sense of community to all who visited, earning admiration for his delicious cooking, welcoming smile, and great humor.

A devoted Catholic and respected public figure, Santos was one of the pioneering Latino business owners and landlords in Downtown Jersey City during the 60s-80s. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather.

He was a loving husband to his wife Blanca.  He is survived by his daughters: Gladys, Blanca, Magaly, and Adelaida; and his sons: Edgar, Santos Jr., George, and Carlos. He was predeceased by his son, William. Santos will forever be Loved, Missed and Remembered. 

A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, December 11th, 2025, from 4pm to 8pm.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 12th, at 10am, in the funeral home chapel.  Interment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City.

The Zoom link for the livestream of the funeral can be found here:

Zoom for Santos Mercado and the passcode to enter is 1359.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Santos A Mercado, please visit our floral store.