Obituary of Thomas J. Santillo

Thomas J. Santillo, age 77, of New Springville, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2017, at Staten Island University Hospital. He was the beloved husband for 50 years of Patricia (nee LaBarbera); loving father of Patricia Ann Jioia and her husband, Michael, and Dina Marie Ortiz and her husband, Ray; cherished grandfather of Vanessa and Valerie Jioia, and Mia and Zoe Ortiz. Mr. Santillo was born in Brooklyn in 1940, and raised there. He was graduated from East NY Vocational High School . He proudly served in the U.S. Army for two years, being stationed in Germany. In 1972, he and his family relocated to Staten Island. He was employed for many years as a Local 3 Electrician, retiring in 1997. In his youth, he enjoyed working on his 1962 Chevy. He enjoyed smoking a good cigar with friends, loved hot, spicy food, and was known for his famous ricotta meatballs. More importantly, he loved spending time with his girls, especially his granddaughters. Thomas was a board member of the Local 3 Retiree Association and enjoyed day trips with them. He loved traveling with his wife, going to Atlantic City, and taking cruises; and even through his illness was able to continue cruising with Dialysis at Sea. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the National Kidney Foundation or the Deborah Heart and Lung Foundation.