Sunday, January 17, 2021
Eileen, Dawn, Bud and the whole Santora clan, please accept my deepest sympathies.
One of my favorite treats was stopping to see Herky during my visits to Mt Pleasant to see my Dad. He always called me Steverino, much to my kid's enjoyment, and was always happy to see me and learn about the stuff I was doing and update me on Dawn, Buddy and their kids. He was so very proud of his grandkids.
I have many memories of Herky. When I was a kid, I was truthfully, a little afraid of him because to an 8 year old, he was a big gruff man, who wasn't afraid of yelling at me when I stepped out of line. I remember my Freshman year at Allegheny College where I shockingly learned that not only did he go to school there, but he belonged to the same Fraternity (FIJI) as I and we actually had the same Freshman dorm room! I still can't imagine Herky as a FIJI ... drinking beer in the basement and doing things Allegheny FIJI's did, but almost impossible to imagine him doing - "Proud to be". As I grew older his faith, love of family and overall steadiness became a role model for me. He lived and celebrated a life, the way it is meant to be lived.
I am going to miss visiting him, but will always smile and think a kind thought for him, when I am in Mt Pleasant.
Much love,
Steve Santamaria
204 Eagle Street
