Obituary of Dr. Donald C. Santora

Dr. Donald (Herk) Santora, 84, of Mt Pleasant passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and children on Friday January 15, 2021. He was born on February 4, 1936 in Pittsburgh, the son of the late Dr. Frank Santora and Ann (Weber) Santora. He attended St Vincent Prep School in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and then matriculated at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1958. He continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry, graduating in 1962. Following dental school, Dr. Santora completed a Dental Anesthesiology residency at St John’s Hospital. He settled in Mt Pleasant and served the community by practicing dentistry for well over 50 years. Dr. Santora was known by his family, friends, and patients as a kind, caring, and generous person. He worked his craft into his eighties, always keeping his routine of breakfast at Goo’s with his buddies; work from 8 to 12; solve the world and local issues from 12 to 1 with many of the same guys at Jimmy Paul’s; work until 5; home, dinner and bed. This schedule was only interrupted on weekends for church, dinner and a movie, or in good weather a golf game. For those of you who knew him it was always entertaining, but rarely “good” golf. Dr. Santora is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Eileen (Richard) Santora, and his two children Dr. Dawn Santora (Dr. Michael Rutigliano, MD) and Dr. Donald “Bud” Santora (Laura Pawk). In addition, he enjoyed the love and company of his seven grandchildren; Nick Rutigliano, Alex Rutigliano, Tori Rutigliano, Elle Santora, Jake Santora, Ava Santora, and Tripp Santora. He is survived by brothers Dr. Frank Santora and his wife Elaine of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Robert Santora and his wife Bobbi of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and a sister Judy Russell and her husband George of Columbus, Indiana. Numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews also shared his life and good company. A Funeral Mass for Dr. Donald Santora will be held on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:00 am in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 224 Summit St., Mt. Pleasant PA, 15666. Private Entombement will follow in Allegheny County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Westmoreland County Food Bank. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant.