Obituary of Michael L. Santoro

Michael L. Santoro Michael Louis Santoro—affectionately known by his family and friends as "Mike"—a Marine Corps veteran and lifelong resident of South Plainfield, died on Monday, July 25, following a brief illness. He was 91. Mike was born in South Plainfield, the son of Italian immigrants. He attended the Roosevelt School in South Plainfield and North Plainfield High School, graduating in 1938. Prior to America's involvement in World War 2, he volunteered for the Marine Corps and became a member of the newly formed First Marine Division. He advanced to become a platoon sergeant and was an expert in the use of pack howitzers, highly mobile artillery pieces suited for jungle warfare. After serving in the early-war defense of Australia, he fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal, a key victory in the "island-hopping" strategy of the Pacific War. He was also involved in the fight for Papua New Guinea. Just prior to his honorable discharge in 1945, he married his high school classmate, Rose Estelle Fittipaldi, to whom he would remain married for more than 66 years. In 1947, he joined the then two-person South Plainfield Post Office and worked as a letter carrier there until his retirement in 1982. He also served as a local union representative for the National Association of Letter Carriers. After he retired, he volunteered for more than 25 years at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lyons, NJ. He was well known for helping veterans obtain all the benefits due them, and for visiting disabled veterans who had no family or friends in the area. In 2007 by former VA head Anthony J. Principi hailed Mike as a "true patriot and unsung hero of veterans everywhere." He was a lifelong communicant of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in South Plainfield, as well as a proud member of the Marine Corps League, the First Marine Division Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Rose, and by his three sons and their families: Michael Louis Santoro, Jr. and Martha Santoro of Richmond, Virginia; John Santoro and Pamela Bennett-Santoro of Morristown, NJ; and Daniel Santoro of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mary Catherine Santoro of Martinsville, Virginia; Michael John Santoro of Morristown, and Anne Loomis and her husband, Gregory, of Arlington, Virginia, the parents of Mike's great-grandchild, Jason, born in 2010. Mike loved and greatly appreciated the many devoted members of his extended family and had friends from all generations. He was predeceased by his two older sisters, Christina Gearino and Celeste Danyus, and his beloved grand-daughter, Paula Rosina Santoro. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 29, 2011 beginning 9:15 AM in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 followed by a 10:00 AM funeral mass at Sacred Heart RC Church in South Plainfield. Mausoleum Entombment will follow in Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM and on Friday from 9:00 AM until the service time. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Mike's name to The Paula Rosina Santoro Foundation, PO Box 9265, Morristown, NJ 07963-9265 or to a charity of your choice that reflect Mike's interests and work. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, former Marine