Frank A. Santoro

Frank Angelo Santoro, 94, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Riverside Hospital. He was born in Staten Island, New York, on December 26, 1929 to Pasquale Santoro and Catherine Santoro (Santore). In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard (Patricia) Santoro and his sister, Carmela (Richard) Scarsella, as well as his beloved dogs Chubby, Rusty, Trouble, Socks, Target, and Shaker.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy Santoro (Schwarts) and children Michael (Ruth) Santoro and Teresa (Dr. Matthew) Stevenson and grandchildren Anna and Abby Stevenson, Kyle and Haeli Santoro, as well as nieces and nephews, including Dr. Frank (Susan) Santoro, Mary (Ken) Sheetz, Bob (Chris) Santoro, Nancy Sayre, Paul (Cori) Lindsay, Debbie (Brian) Carney, Chris (Lara) Allen, and Linda (Dan) Chillinsky.

Frank was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, spending his summers with his family at their farm near Kenoza Lake. He was a first generation Italian-American raised in the Catholic faith. He grew up with a family that was highly involved with the local immigrant community, regularly having large Italian dinners serving “soup to nuts.” Frank enjoyed hiding under the steps of their house with his brother, Len, laughing together about their shenanigans while those in their family tried to find them. Once he started working in the city, Frank loved taking the Staten Island Ferry into Manhattan, often with his sister, Carmela. Frank learned to play the accordion at a young age and would accompany his father’s banjo-mandolin playing. After graduating from St. Peter’s High School, he attended Kansas State University where he joined the Rifle Team and was a member of the Alpha Epsilon fraternity. His friends called him “Bambino” because of his short stature. He was a champion weightlifter, a highly accomplished downhill skier and ski jumper, a deer hunter, and highly skilled bowler. He served in the Korean War as a Private in the U.S. Army. In later years, his additional interests included landscaping, composing music, using his snow blower in winter to clear several of the neighbor’s driveways and sidewalks, and watching OSU football.

Frank met Nancy in a bowling league at Sequoia Bowling Alley in Columbus, Ohio. When she realized that the woman with whom he was bowling was his sister and not his wife, Nancy approached Frank at the bowling banquet to express her admiration for his bowling skills and asked if he could teach her some time. Many bowling dates followed. Frank and Nancy were married at St. Anthony Parish in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 1968. Through the years, they were highly involved in their church community with their two children, extended family, and friends.

His children, Michael and Teresa (Terri), have fond and loving memories of his sense of humor, his creativity, his funny stories at the holiday dinner table, his New York Italian accent, his love of Carfagna’s brandy bean chocolates and cannoli, his laughter when family and friends would joke with him about being short, his inability to put down the camera at every event, the many skiing trips, roller coaster rides, a wooden fort that he built in the back yard that was frequented by all the neighborhood kids, and his deep love for his grandchildren. They hold vivid memories of him at work in his art studio, especially of the sparks of solder spraying the floor while he was welding, his hyper-focus while sketching, and the attention to the minute details of everything he touched.

Known as Papa to his grandchildren, Anna and Abby feel they “hit the lottery” with Frank as their Grandfather. Living only ten minutes away from them, he was highly involved in every life event. They could always count on his smiles, hugs, and laughter. His grandchildren living in California, Kyle and Haeli, have wonderful memories visiting for the holidays. They remember the many Italian meals of manicotti and pasta with Papa, listening to his stories about how his Mom counted the lentils for her soup and shaped the gnocchi with her fork. He was so loving, earnestly warm, and had a captivating excitement for all things, big and little. His laugh was hearty and infectious.

Frank was a devoted member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister and is remembered for playing his accordion at the Annual Spaghetti Dinner for many years. He participated in the Adopted Grandparent Program for several years as a grandparent for a first grade child each year. He attended St. Thomas More Newman Center for several years serving as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Forest Park Civic Association for almost 50 years.

Frank did architectural work in New York City prior to moving to Ohio where he worked in the State Architect’s Office designing buildings throughout the state. He was then transferred to the position of Bureau Chief of The Ohio Department of Transportation. He worked for the State of Ohio for over 30 years. While employed with the state, Frank started a business called Studio One Hundred. Using his creative abilities in his garage and basement at home, Frank designed and fabricated original metal sculptures and many wood sculptures. He was a self-taught welder using oxygen and acetylene gas, as well as an electric welder. He worked in steel, copper and brass, creating sculptures for banks, churches and businesses, including Wendy’s corporate headquarters, as well as 87 life-sized sculptured metal bulls for Chi-Chi’s restaurants across the country. For the State of Ohio, he built the aluminum Great Seal of Ohio sculpture, as well as restored several Civil War–era cannons, which are still sitting at the Ohio Statehouse on Capital Square. Many people also requested his sculptures for their homes. He then transitioned to doing custom picture framing through Studio One Hundred for businesses, churches, and homes.

In July, 1973, Frank experienced an ecumenical Cursillo weekend. That experience brought him closer to Christ and gave him a servant’s heart. He volunteered to serve on several Cursillo/Cum Christo teams in various leadership roles, but always as a musician playing his accordion. He served on a team of leaders who helped to bring Kairos prison ministry to the Marion Correctional Facility where he served on several Kairos teams in various leadership roles and always shared the joy of his accordion music. He was on the formation team for establishing the Horizon Interfaith Program. He then served as the Outside Brother Coordinator and each week brought together the Inside Brothers residents with the Outside Brothers for an hour of faith sharing.

As a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and neighbor, Frank was deeply loved and will be missed. He was a blessing in our lives and was a faithful servant of the Lord.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.