Santino P. Fantozzi
LEOMINSTER - Santino P. Fantozzi, 93, died Friday suddenly at UMass Hospital Lake Ave, Worcester.
Mr. Fantozzi, known to all as Sam or Popsie, was born in Leominster on November 1, 1927, son of Pasquale Fantozzi and Raffaela (Crisci) Fantozzi and was a lifelong resident. He is predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Nina
(Ciprotti) Fantozzi in 1992. He was a graduate of Leominster High School class of 1946. He served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Waldron DD – 699, he received the World War II Victory Medal. In 1952 graduated from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture Amherst, MA where he earned a degree in horticulture.
Santino was the
Superintendent of Evergreen Cemetery and also worked as Director of Public Works for the City of Leominster. He was a member of Saint Anna’s Parish. He was a longstanding board member of the Leominster Credit Union. Mr. Fantozzi served as their chairman of the board for many years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and former Lion’s Club member.
Santino is survived by his three daughters; Cynthia LeBlanc; Lisa Fantozzi; and Linda Gallant and her husband, Philip Gallant. Two sisters; Ida Kendall and her husband Lawrence Kendall and Anita Armilotti of Leominster. He is predeceased by his brother, Joseph Fantozzi. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Shannon Prescott and her husband, Kenneth Guilmette; Courtney Kajuti and her wife, Kim Kajuti; Emily Donatelli and her husband, Garrett Donatelli; Andrew LeBlanc and Heather Bilek; and Benjamin Gallant. Also, great grandchildren; Jonathan Prescott; Cameron Prescott; Colby Guilmette; Santino Kajuti; Nina Donatelli; Silas Kajuti; and Lucca Donatelli. He is predeceased by Angelina Donatelli.
Santino led his life with the enjoyment of family and friends. He had the very best of times with his lifelong friends; Lindo Piermarini and Benny Fini. He was an enthusiastic bocce player and family enjoyed rooting him on. He loved working in his yard, doing landscaping was his true passion. At the age of 93, he had a beautiful vegetable garden that he cultivated together with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Any day of the week, Sam could be seen in his yard giving tractor rides, which began with his children to his grandchildren and great grandchildren for over 60 years. He happily took part in his family’s daily lives with many contributions until his last days and for that we will be forever grateful. He will be remembered as a gentle man who lived his life with integrity, humility, and kindness. Sam was very much loved and will be dearly missed.
Sam’s funeral will be held on Monday, December 28th, from the Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St. Leominster, with a funeral mass at 11am in St. Anna Church, 194 Lancaster St. Leominster. Burial with military honors is private in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours in the funeral home are Sunday, December 27th, from 2~4pm.
In lieu of flowers and in these unprecedented times, please look around you and extend a hand to someone in need. www. richardsonfuneralhome.net