Santiago Francisco Candocia, 85, of Glenview and formerly of Vernon Hills and Skokie, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2016. He grew up in Union de Reyes, Matanzas, Cuba and graduated from the University of Havana with a degree in Law. He worked in the Cuban court system until he immigrated to the USA in 1962 with his wife and son . He obtained two more master's degrees in Spanish Arts and in Bilingual Education from Loyola University and Governor's State University. Santiago worked for the State of Illinois as a caseworker until his retirement in 1998. He enjoyed reading and was quoted as saying that books were his friends. Santiago enjoyed his later years spending time with his grandchildren, reading and exercising. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Flora in 1995. He is survived by his son Dr. Santiago A. (Lisa) Candocia; his loving grandchildren Max, Olivia, Mia, Lily and Ava; his dear sister Josefa Alvarez and brothers Francisco (Paco) Candocia and Jose Ramon Candocia and many nieces and nephews. Visitation Friday, March 11 from 3 - 9 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 820 W. Talcott (At Cumberland), Park Ridge. Funeral service Saturday, 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery in Elgin. For more information 847.823.5122.