John R. Santoro

John R. Santoro, 72, of Wethersfield and formerly of Hartford, beloved husband of Lucia (Lucca) Santoro, passed away Saturday (November 13, 2010), surrounded by family at Hartford Hospital. He was born May 11, 1938 in Canicattini Bagni, province of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, the son of the late Paul and Maria (Cassarino) Santoro. Prior to his retirement in 1989 John was employed as a Mason and then at Hartford Faence Company. He enjoyed watching soccer, but his greatest joy in life was his family. Including Lucia, his wife of 50 years, John is survived by three daughters, Sabina Tortoro and her husband Carl of Old Saybrook, Maria Alvarado and her husband Ricardo of Rocky Hill, and Cynthia Martelle and her husband, Joseph of Wethersfield; one brother, Joseph Santoro and his wife, Arlene of Wethersfield; and six grandchildren, Giuseppe Buonannata and his wife, Erika, Daniella Tortoro, Matthew Martelle, Nicholas Martelle, Angela Alvarado, and Ricky Alvarado. He also leaves a brother-in-law, Antonino LaRosa; four sisters-in-law, Lisa Santoro of Rome, GA, Tina Aglieco and her husband, Angelo, Tita Alderuccio, Lena Tarascio and her husband, Antonino; a niece, Liliana Hughes and her husband, Brian; and several other nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by a brother, Sebastian Santoro; a sister, Sebastina Santoro; and a nephew, Angelo Aglieco. Funeral services will be Wednesday (November 17th) leaving at 9:30 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield for a 10:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Luke's Church, 66 Bolton Street, Hartford. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Calling hours are Tuesday (November 16th) from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. Memorial donations in John's memory may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W Evergreen Avenue, Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60642. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.