Sayreville man died a 'Super Hero' saving his brother, cousin from Pennsylvania lake
Funeral services are being held this week for a 19-year-old Sayreville man who his family said died a "super hero" for saving the lives of his brother and cousin.
The wake for Elisam Santana, known as Eli, a 2022 graduate of Sayreville War Memorial High School, who planned to study finance at Brookdale Community College, will be held 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home in Parlin. Services also were held Monday at the funeral home. Committal services will be held Wednesday morning at Maple Grove Park Cemetery in Hackensack, according to his obituary.
Santana died Aug. 6 after he and family had gone swimming in a Pennsylvania lake with a steep drop off.
Lehigh Valley Live reported Santana was visiting the 949-acre Beltzville Lake in Beltzville State Park in the southern foothills of the Poconos on Aug. 6, to swim with family and friends. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website describes the sand beach and picnic pavilion as popular areas.
Because the beach by the lake had reached capacity, they drove to another area by a cove to swim. Swimming is prohibited in the cove area due to a steep drop in the water's depth. Santana went to aid his brother and cousin in the water, and he died, Lehigh Valley Live reported.
"Eli was the true definition of a “Super Hero”, giving up his life to save those who he loved," his obituary states.
Santana who was born in Monroe, Pennsylvania, was self-taught in stock trade and would often wake up early to begin day trading. He enjoyed exercising, playing basketball and eating organic foods, according to his obituary.
"Eli was a humanitarian, always finding ways to give back to others while paying homage to his mother for every sacrifice. Eli was a protective big brother always inspiring and teaching him to exhibit courage, strength and discipline. Eli was indeed a role model to all. He was a loving son, brother, cousin, friend and will be deeply missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him," his obituary states.
Santana's obituary thanked the EMTs and volunteers in Pennsylvania who gave all their efforts, love and support to the family.
Santana is survived by his parents, two siblings and extended family members and friends.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Sayreville NJ man died a 'Super Hero' saving his family from lake
