Anthony Leone Santoro

Tony was graduated from Sam Houston High School, turned down a scholarship to (then) Rice Institute, became a master mechanic, joined the Army on November 15, 1941 (three weeks before Pearl Harbor), transferred to the Army Air Corps, became a flight engineer and waist-gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, flew twenty-five missions over Europe, and, in one instance, his plane was attacked by enemy fighters wounding two crew members and heavily damaging the plane prompting his captain to order the non-wounded to bail out which the sensible ones did but Tony chose to stay with his pilot and wounded crew members and helped his pilot bring their plane to a safe landing for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and, in 1943, having completed his missions, docked in Manhattan, was given special leave to come back to Houston to marry his beloved Margaret ("He chased me until I caught him"), taught enlisted men and officers about the mysteries of the B-17, and, though offered a promotion to lieutenant by his commanding officer if he would "re-up", declined, citing his need to put on his "civvies" and continue building a life with Margaret and his nine-month-old daughter, Chesley Ann.

As his family burgeoned to include John and then Anthony, he put his mechanical skills to work in various places, including working for the Wildcatter, Glenn McCarthy, Dow Chemical, and several others. To a man, his fellow workers admired his skills and had great affection for "Tony".

A talented third baseman in Houston semi-pro leagues, Tony loved all sports--especially football and most especially baseball--and this love affair with the Grand Old Game was inherited by all three of his children.

Operas, especially those of Puccini's, were a special love of Tony's and on the table, next to his favorite chair, the small CD player still sits.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Dominica Santoro, his siblings Josephine and Nat and his son, John.

His survivors, among a loving, extended family, include his wife, Margaret, his sister Inez, his daughter Chesley Santoro Krohn (Charles), his son Anthony Santoro II (Jan) as well as his grandchildren Renata Santoro Smith (Taylor), April Santoro Leger (Donald), Julia Krohn Mechling (Charlie), Anthony Santoro III, and Stuart (Yvonne Aguirre) all of Houston; and Adam (Jacky Thomas) and Aaron Krohn of New York City; and his great-grandchildren Amber, Ashley, Dylan, Hayden, and Preston will soon be regaled with stories of their great-granddaddy, especially revelations about what a fine gentleman he was and how much he loved them.

In his final days, visitors to his bedside would find the ever-present Margaret and, even when he was most uncomfortable, would be asked how they were (he genuinely wanted to know!), and this curiosity about the welfare of others always revealed in Tony his continuing love-affair with humanity.

His was a generous spirit and it was a privilege to know him.

There will be a viewing at Earthman's Funeral Home 8303 Katy Freeway 77024 from 6-9 PM