Hello family. Michael Freeman, son of Howard Freeman. I lost my father young and unexpectedly. Vincent was his friend for many years and took it upon himself to fill that gap during my youth. Vincent embodied a parent, friend, companion, and mentor to myself and countless others. While I did not interact with him on a daily basis, his impact on my life has been paramount. In my remaining years, I strive not to please one father, but both. 

Sentite Condoglianze,
Michael Freeman and family.


Miss you Uncle Jim. The time Tamara and I spent with you recently was priceless. I feel like a big chunk of me is missing. My boys, Dominic and Dante, still have fond memories of the time you spent in Texas with us. Dominic says he received the best haircut from you. Dante still remembers driving you home from a Michigan family function in the BMW 850i. At 17, he still was cautious but you told him to put down the gas on that V12 powered beast. Of course, Always enjoyed working an tinkering with you in the early 70s. Your work ethic and perfectionism still follows me today in everything I do.

Jimmy Milo

The life long friendship began in 1974 at Vogel junior high in Garden City MI.  Mr DeSanto was my wood shop teacher.  I would work with him on side jobs after school.  He was also  my wood shop teacher in high school.  He first was my teacher, mentor and one of my best friends that I could have ever asked for.  His generosity of  his time along with his wisdom that he shared with everyone  who seeked out his advice.  I was welcomed into to the DeSanto family in my late teens sharing many wonderful Italian meals at the DeSanto dinner table.     I had the honor of being an invited guest to all of the DeSanto parties on Curtis street in Livonia.  After graduating from high school and college we remained in constant contact.  After The passing of Vincent wife (Paola), and after grieving her loss over time, he mentioned he would like to meet a nice lady to just go to dinner with and get to know better.   I mentioned to Vince I have a customer in Livonia who I just finished her job and she also happens to be Italian.    Long story short I had the pleasure of introducing Vincent  to Fran DeLuca.  Who would become Vincent DeSanto’s loving  wife for almost 30 years.
Thank you so much Vincent DeSanto, Fran DeSanto, and the DeSanto & DeLuca kids for sharing  Vince with  me and my wife.
We will all remember you with lots of love in our hearts and many many fond memories of you, your family and friends with the times we all shared together.  
To the DeSanto family and all the relative’s our deepest condolences go out to all of you and your family.
Love 
Steve & Regina Velasco 

Jimmy...you will be missed! A great family leader. From 1957-60, our family lived on Dayton Street, near Joe Yak's Bar and across from the street from the DeSanto house. So I have known Jimmy and their family for more than 60 years. Sammy used to look out for me then. I recall that their mother, Antoinette, had a  2nd kitchen in the basement paneled in knotty pine. I'll bet Jimmy was the driving force on that. 40 years ago Jimmy made me a set of wood grips for a handgun. He was so talented. And he liked to talk...for an hour or more at a time on the phone. Made me happy talking to Jimmy. 

Great man, wonderful family and many fond memories.  Rest in Peace Jimmy with those who have gone before you.  
Love and hugs to the family.

this week many of us have lost one of the most important person in their lives, a point of reference, their safety net, Vincent DeSanto.
Amongst all of this, for me, zio Jimmy was also like a father, he was home.

He always took on important roles in my life, celebrating happy moments and very difficult ones as when he told me about my father’s illness years ago. 
He always had a good story to share, you’ll be sure to laugh when in his company. His ability to create something out of nothing in his shop always amazed me. I will never thank him enough for welcoming me into his home and allowing me to grow closer to my cousins and feeling safe and protected while far from Rome.
For this and for so much more, it is hard to say goodby…

I will think of you anytime I’ll smell freshly brewed coffee, sawdust, cologne, peppers and pasta e fagioli; anytime I’ll hear the sound of sleepers shuffling down a hall, the roar of an action movie or classical music; anytime I’ll see a carpenter’s pencil, a scoppola and borsello.
You have inspired me to set goals and work hard, take chances, be kind, love and to prioritize time for family and friends.

I love you zio and forever will
Alessia

The DeSanto home on Dayton Street in Detroit was where the action was in the 40’s and 50’s. My mom,  Ida May Oliver, a Pennsylvania cousin, was warmly invited to move in and was a lifelong  devotee of all the DeSanto family.  I have wonderful memories of Aunt Antoinette in the basement kitchen and remember Jimmy’s workshop there.  He used to tease that he changed my diapers as an early babysitter.  The home was noisy and always filled with laughter and wonderful food.  Wonderful times!

He was my 7th grade Metal shop teacher at Radcliff Jr high sometime around 1966/67... I remember him with very fine, and memorable memories. He was a good man, and a great teacher! He was one that really cared, and made a difference!
RIP my dear mentor and friend!!!
Charles Craven


I grew up living close to Vince and family.  Too many memories come to mind and all mixed together:  the basement kitchen and garage workshops, many late night summer 2nd dinners in the kitchen and on the deck, dirt bikes out by the creek, garage sales and sports cars, Italian language, laughter and fun, the hot tub on Curtis, Paola’s Illness, the Dodge Minivan, bike rides and stitches to the chin, peppers and barbecues . But mostly, friendships, food and laughter forever.  The other morning I recalled what Vince used to say to me early on:  “You’re not as homely as you used to be!”  What amazing guy...what a life...we will miss you Vince!

Papa, Doriana, Silvana, Marco, Paolina & Sabrina at the Curtis house. 

Papa, Doriana, Silvana, Paolina & Sabrina at the Curtis house. 

Fran, I’m so sorry that you lost your husband. You have my deepest condolences. I’m sure that your children and step children will be great help during this time   


Zio Jimmy, uncle Sammy and Papa’ (Enrico Zanchi)
Northville house - Summer 2002 

Aunt Fran and family,

My deepest condolences.  As you all know, Uncle Jim was a talented and unique man.  He was a superb craftsman and the epitome of a family man.  The ultimate patriarch.

I have so many memories-too many to list but I'll put down a few.  My first memories are the haircuts on Dayton and the raucous Saturdays at Aunt Antoinette's.  Riding with him on his motorcycle.  Him telling me that my dad had a lot to do with him finishing college.  He loved my dad-of course everyone did but he seemed to have a special feeling for him.

I remember all the visits to Arizona after we moved to Phoenix.  Our home looked like Grand Central Station with people wrapped up in sheets and sleeping on the floor.  He was a terror in the pool dunking us and holding us under.  Most of all, I remember him sticking out his hand to shake and saying put your hand in the vise.  And it was!

Rest in peace- you had a full and wonderful life and you'll be missed by all who you touched.

Dear Sal,
I am so sorry for your loss. I shall carry you in my heart and in my prayers. Please feel free to call if you want to talk. 
In peace,
Jan Kornacki 

Where does one begin to describe a larger than life force like my "Uncle Jimmy" as I loved calling him?   We weren't family, but he sure treated us like we were.  My dad, Howard, was a good friend of his.  We spent countless hours at the Livonia Curtis house.  The PIG ROASTS!!  The hot tub, the fireworks.   I also remember him being a phenomenally hard working man.  And oh how he loved every single one of his kids.   He was the kind of loyal friend you pray to have just one of in your lifetime.  When my dad passed suddenly many years ago, Uncle Jimmy was the first person at the house to offer comfort.  There are good men and then there are great men.  Vince DeSanto definitely falls in the beyond great men category.  Last thing...I will never forget each and every time I saw him, even jus ta few years ago, when at the tender age of 45, the very first thing he would always say to me was, "Wipe that s*** off your face, you don't need it."  Referring to my usually bright colored lipstick and makeup.   I love you Uncle Jimmy...I hope you and my dad are reunited causing mayhem in Heaven.  Godspeed.   

I had the pleasure of spending a little time with the larger than life father of a dear friend, Doriana.  Mr. Desanto taught me how he, in his profession, worked  with numbers.

As a math teacher I figured I’d seen it all.  I was wrong.  I can’t do justice to his magical yet simple manipulation of fractions.  I only wish I had recorded it.

He simply showed me how he did it, nodded and smiled.  It made an impression because he had that self-made, good natured and hard working qualities and, we proudly tell their stories.
 
Thank you Doriana for introducing me to your father.

His famous cooking...he and my mother would cook up those peppers. Mmmmmm, I loved them!

When I was a young boy, Jimmy would stay with us in Waterville, OH while he was stationed nearby in the Coast Guard. He'd hang myself and my sister by our belts on the door knobs, each on a side. We'd kick and laugh, hysterically, as would he.

Every time I visited Michigan from California, he'd offer to pick me up and take me to see my mothers grave.

I feel lucky to have known him, to have had dinner at his table, with his family, to have his kids visit me...a great and wonderful man has left us all memories. May he rest in peace forever in our thoughts, an inspiration to live big, laugh big and spread the joy!

Your Cousin George Jackson

OBITUARY

Vincent Samuel DeSanto

October 10, 1934 – July 11, 2021

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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