Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Stelianos “Stelio” Santorios entered the world on March 25, 2003, Greek Independence Day, a fitting beginning for a young man who carried his heritage with quiet pride. From his earliest days, his eyes held a depth far beyond his years, revealing a soul marked by gentleness, patience, and an instinctive compassion that needed no words.

He spent his childhood in Beverly Beach before growing up in Davidsonville, surrounded by the strength and example of the Santorios men: his grandfather, Stelianos “Stanley” Santorios; his father, Demetre; and his uncles, William and Andrew. Their influence shaped his love for the open road, for engines and gears, for the honest work of the transportation trade. Before he could speak his ambitions aloud, he was already reaching for clutches and gearshifts, drawn to the rhythm of the road that ran through generations of his family.

Stelio graduated from South River High School and pursued his lifelong vision with unwavering purpose. While attending Chesapeake College, he worked full time at Mercedes‑Benz of Annapolis, earning his CDL in January 2025 and becoming a proud professional driver. He added motorcycle and tanker endorsements simply because he loved the road in all its forms and wanted to experience every way of traveling it. As a solo over‑the‑road driver for Knight Transportation, he logged 50,000 miles without a single infraction, an extraordinary achievement for someone so young, and a testament to his discipline, skill, and respect for the craft.

One of the defining adventures of his young adulthood was a 7,000‑mile cross‑country ride that began and ended in Maryland, shared first with his father and a close circle of family friends. Together they rode west through Utah and Montana before the group parted ways, leaving Stelio and his father to continue on into Canada and the sweeping beauty of Banff National Park.  It became a true rite of passage; a journey where Stelio stood as an equal among seasoned riders, earning their respect not by trying to prove anything, but by showing up exactly as he was: steady on the road, thoughtful in his choices, and quietly sure of himself beside the men he admired.

Though he shared unforgettable adventures with his father, Stelio’s daily life was deeply intertwined with his mother, Rebecca. She was his closest confidante, his steady companion, and his truest friend. They spoke every day, sharing jokes, small victories, frustrations, and the quiet details that make up a life. Their bond was one of profound mutual devotion, built on trust, humor, and an unspoken understanding that needed no embellishment. He honored her with the same loyalty and tenderness he showed the world, and she was the person with whom he shared the full landscape of his inner life.

Stelio moved through the world with a rare magnetism, quiet, soulful, observant. He loved the ways of eras past: muscle cars, big rigs, the Grateful Dead. He found beauty in nature and often paused during his long hauls to send photos of mountains, meadows, and open skies. His father gave him the eye for the road; his mother gave him the eye for the natural world. Together, they shaped a young man who could navigate both with grace.

His character reflected a timeless wisdom: “Silence is the Mother of truth, for the silent man was ever to be trusted, while the ever ready with speech was never taken seriously.” Stelio lived that truth. He was steady, trustworthy, and sincere; never loud, always genuine. Those who knew him felt the strength of his presence, the kindness in his silence, and the honor he brought to the Santorios name.

Stelio’s life, though heartbreakingly short, was lived with purpose, integrity, and love. He leaves behind his parents, Demetre and Rebecca, who will forever carry him in every mile, every memory, and every quiet moment where his spirit still speaks. He is also survived by his uncles; Andrew Santorios, William Santorios, and James Justice; his aunt, Karen Justice; his grandmother, Demetra Santorios; and many other loving friends and relatives.

Friends and family are invited to Steliano's funeral service at 11 AM on Wednesday, February 4th at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Rd, Annapolis. Memorial contributions to the Salvation Army are appreciated.  Please give in honor or in memory of Stelio Santorios, <a href="https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/">https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/</a>

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