The son of Portuguese immigrants, Fr. David Santos was born and raised in the Archdiocese of Newark in Kearny, NJ.
After graduating from Kearny High School, Fr. Santos attended Rutgers University in Newark and pursued a degree in Criminal Justice.
During his first year of college, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, became the impetus for him and his twin brother to enlist in the Rhode Island Army National Guard as a paratrooper in the airborne infantry. After a few years of military service, including a deployment to Iraq in 2005, Fr. Santos entered St. Andrew’s College Seminary of the Archdiocese of Newark in South Orange, N.J. He graduated two years later (2008) with a bachelor's degree in Catholic Studies.
Upon completing his time at St. Andrew's, Archbishop Myers asked him to continue his priestly formation and theological studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. As a seminarian and student for 5 years in Rome, Fr. Santos considers himself extremely fortunate to have experienced the wonders of the Italian culture and to have studied at the Gregorian University, where he completed an STB (Bachelors in Sacred Theology) as well as an STL (Licentiate in Sacred Theology ) in Dogmatic Theology.
As one of four children, Fr. Santos enjoys spending time with his large and energetic family.
He loves the outdoors and soccer.
In December 2014, he was appointed Chaplain to both the Police and Fire Departments of the Township of Scotch Plains.