Born in Passaic, NJ on February 18, 1931, he was the son of the late Anthony and Rose Santore; beloved husband for 53 years of the late Marilyn Telerico Santore who died June 20, 2007; devoted father of Richard R. Santore, Jr. (Susan), Gary S. Santore (Debbie), Peter A. Santore (Beth), Linda A. Tully (Clay), Janet M. Bumgarner (Jeff) and Lisa R. Santore-Schwartz (the late Scott); loving “Pop-Pop” of Leyna O’Reilly (Stephen), the late Brad Tully, David Tully (Leah), Matthew Santore, Richard R. Santore, III (Tara), Brittany Santore, Christopher Tully (Sarah), Kelly Taylor (Will), Alyssa Grudi (Lucas), Joshua Bumgarner and Trevor Santore; great-grandfather of Bradyn and Lincoln Tully; Ruby and Emerald O’Reilly. Brother-in-law of Joan Menna (the late John), Gay Anne Peckham (Jack) and the late Joy Hirschhorn (Alan, surviving). Also survived by his nieces, nephews and cousins.
Richard graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1953 with a degree in chemical engineering. He worked for 20 years at Tenneco Corp. in Garfield, NJ, before accepting a position with the U.S. Government in the Department of Energy where he served as Project Manager on the Clean Coal Project, in conjunction with the Bureau of Mines, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He retired in February 1994. In his retirement years Richard enjoyed playing golf, bocce and cards with his wife and his many friends in Pittsburgh, PA and Fort Mill, SC.
The family would like to thank the staff in the Memory Care Unit at Carillon and Hospice of Union County for the loving care they gave to Richard in his final days.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 5, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte, NC 28277.
Interment in St. Mary Cemetery, Greenwich, Ct. will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Hospice of Union County, 700 West Roosevelt Avenue, Monroe, NC 28110 or to your local Alzheimer’s Association.
