With heavy hearts we would like to inform everyone here that Uncle Sandy "Joe", 65, passed away December 4, 2006 at 9:00 p.m. at a Hospice House in Lecanto , Florida .  He was Skip's only brother. 

He was born, Jose Santos Zelaya in San Diego , CA .  He moved to Crystal River, FL 17 years ago from Alexandria , VA.   He was a retired electrician.  He was a member of IBEW in Washington , D.C. , Local 26.  He enjoyed playing chess, cards and the computer.  Survivors include his missing brother, George R. Zelaya "Skip"; sister, Maria Papanicolas of LaPlata , MD ; four nieces Jennifer, Elizabeth, Kathleen and Susan; and four nephews, Michael, James, John and Nicky and close friend, Katy Winding of Homosassa , FL.

Private cremation arrangements under the direction of Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River, FL.

His sister, Maria and her husband, Nick, and his nieces, Kathleen, Susan, and Elizabeth and his nephew, Michael were all there by his side when he passed.  He waited until we all got there.  We are so thankful for that.  He was our only uncle, who has been in our lives always - nothing but good times with him.  So now we have lost one of our advocates to find our father.  I told him, if he sees my dad up there, to please let us know.  

He had been so out of it, on morphine, that my aunt didn't think he would even know we were there, but as soon as we walked in his room he woke right up.  We all got to talk to him, although it was very difficult for him to talk. He died 2 hours after we arrived.  We got 1 hr in the hospital before they moved him to a Hospice home and he died 1 hr. after being there.  So now that he is in Heaven maybe he can help us more than ever in finding our father. 

God bless you, Uncle Sandy, may you rest in peace.