Antonio Santia

He was born on January 8th, 1928, to Joseph and Anna Santia in the small town of Supino, Italy, located roughly 45 miles southeast of Rome. He immigrated to the United States in 1948 after WWII. Soon thereafter, Elda arrived from Italy and the two gained a love for each other. They were married and started their life together in Detroit, Michigan. He and Elda had 3 children…Joanne, Rosemarie (Rosie) and Perry.

Tony was a tailor by trade but worked at Great Lakes Steel as a crane operator while also being in the restaurant business. In 1963, he moved his family to Southern California where he and Elda opened their very own Restaurant in Ontario named after him, Antonio’s. In a short time, his two brothers, Sidney and Diego and their spouses Lia and Helene, became business partners. He retired after 36 years making pizzas, pasta and spaghetti sauce for those craving their delicious food.

His most beloved hobby was golfing and played his final round at the age of 93 at Upland Hills Country Club. He loved spending time traveling with his family and "paisans" on many cruise ships (23) and traveled the world. He enjoyed telling stories of his many experiences over the years to anyone who would sit with him over a glass of Crown Royal.

He also had a heart for music, whether it be Italian or Country, and often sang the lyric by Johnny Cash “I hear the train a comin”. He also loved some of the lyrics to "All my Exes live in Texas". These lyrics were always used when he wanted to make us laugh. He was proud of his family for taking up an instrument and would often call on them to entertain guests with sing-alongs. Every once in a while he would show his talents by picking up the guitar and singing a song.

Ultimately, he was most happy when the entire family was together enjoying the holidays. Elda did all the work, but he would take all the credit by telling us (every occasion) that he woke up at 3am to make the pasta!

He is survived by his wife Elda of 73 years; his brother Sidney Santia and his wife Lia, his daughter Joanne and her husband John Mangiagli, his son Perry and his wife Judy Santia and his 8 grandchildren (6 spouses) and 5 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Rosie, his oldest brother Cataldo (Algerina) and his youngest brother Diego (Helene).

He will be missed but will always be in our hearts.

A funeral mass for Antonio will be held Monday, September 19, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 2110 N. San Antonio Ave., Upland, CA 91784.

In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made in Antonio's memory to the American Heart Association link below:

https://www.heart.org

On the above website, donation cards can be sent to [email protected].

Following the funeral mass will be a mausoleum committal service from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Bellevue Memorial Park, 1240 W. G. Street, Ontario, CA 91762.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Santia family.