Harry William Aponte

Harry William Aponte Santiago age 74, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from Joppa, Maryland.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Harry was the son of the late Justo Aponte and the late Luz Esther Santiago.

Harry became a CRNA at Ashford Presbiteriano Community Hospital. His beloved wife of 51 years is Carmen Elisa Aponte Vazquez, with whom he met as she herself was practicing nursing.

Together they built a loving family and a life rooted in devotion, hard work, and togetherness.

In 1987 he was given the opportunity to give his three daughters and wife a better life by taking a job offer to work at Fort Howard VA Medical Center. One lone man with a family and a dream and that was him.

He gave many years to his patients who fought for our country, and he made sure to give them the service and respect they deserved. Although he was not a veteran himself, he took great pride in serving those who were.

He accomplished his dreams, and he gave his family a great home life, filled with love and respect. There were obstacles but he always found a way to overcome.

All the lessons that he has taught along the way will not be in vain and will spread like wildfire. He made sure to step up for his daughters and enjoyed being a part of their sports journeys, Coach Harry was one of his many titles.

He retired in 2012 as a nurse with the Perry Point VA Medical Center, after 24 years of faithful service.

After retirement Harry went back to his roots and spent most of his days tending to his chicken coop, Harry's Huevos. He loved taking rides out on his boat and fishing but only with family, never alone!

Above all else, Harry treasured time spent with his family. He especially enjoyed being with hischildren and grandchildren. If anyone of them wanted or needed anything he would bendover backwards for them. He was present when one needed a talk, a hug and especially much laughter. If he was surrounded by family, everything was at peace.

Harry William Aponte will be remembered as gentle, stern, empathetic, loving, funny, son, brother, nurse, husband, Papi and Abuelo.

He is survived by his children, Doralise Aponte Larkins, Glorinette Aponte, Kassandra Ali Aponte, and William Aponte; and his cherished grandchildren, Javier Larkins, Yaxciel Perez Aponte and bonus granddaughter Sulmary Perez Mercado. He is also survived by his sisters, Virgen M. Aponte and husband Domingo, Nancy Y. Aponte and husband Fernando and Mary O. Aponte.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Luz Catalina and Dora E. Aponte; brothers, Victor Manuel Aponte, Justo E. Aponte, Luis A. Aponte, Walter Aponte and Carlos Roberto Aponte.