Peter Francis Santoro

Peter Francis Santoro, 84, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 13, 2016 surrounded by his cherished loving family. Peter was happily married for 63 years to the love of his life, Jean A. Santoro. Born in Hartford on January 2, 1932, a son of the late Frank and Edith (Martocchio) Santoro, he had been a resident of East Harford since 1965. He was a graduate of Weaver High School in Hartford, Class of 1950. His industrious nature blossomed during his high school years. He formed and ran his own landscaping company and as an accomplished vibraharpist musician, he also formed and led the Velvetones, a well-known local quartet. Peter proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 143rd Tank Battalion during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he attended the University of Connecticut under the GI Bill and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

As a resident of East Hartford, he served as a little league coach for several years. He frequently attended East Hartford’s Town Hall meetings to give his perspective on proposed annual budgets. A devout catholic, Peter was a long time faithful communicant of St. Isaac Jogues Church, East Hartford.

Peter had a successful career in the nuclear power industry holding key technical and management positions with Combustion Engineering, Allis-Chalmers, and Northeast Utilities. Over a career span of 34 years, he was awarded two Atomic Energy Commission patents, one with Combustion Engineering and one with Allis-Chalmers. During his 17-year career with Northeast Utilities, he held two key positions, the Director of Project Management and the Director of the Nuclear Safety Concerns Program. He also served as NU’s representative on the Electric Power Research Institute’s nuclear power division, an international committee dedicated to reviewing and evaluating the designs and operational safety of nuclear power generating plants. In 1983, EPRI presented Peter with a Technology Transfer Award for his committee contributions.

Peter and his devoted wife Jean shared a passion for world travel, the Goodspeed Opera House musicals, gardening, family activities, and fishing. As an avid fisherman, he owned several boats and shared his passion for fishing on Long Island Sound with Jean, their family and close friends. Since graduating UCONN, Peter remained an avid Husky basketball fan of both the Men’s and Women’s team. His children and grandchildren will always treasure his one-on-one heartfelt conversations and guidance. He was an exceptionally involved, caring grandfather who attended events with great pride and enthusiasm.

Peter is survived by his adored wife Jean and their three children: son, Peter F. Santoro, Jr. and his wife Pauline of South Windsor and their children, Adam and his wife Amanda, and Jillian; daughter, Dr. Linda E. Santoro and her husband Dr. Scott Meyerson of Kennett Square, PA and their daughters Jessica and Jenna; a son, Mark S. Santoro and his wife Ellen of Cheshire and their daughters Emily and Olivia. He also leaves his beloved brother Frank B. Santoro and his wife Roseann in Kingsville, MD; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Friday (November 18th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Isaac Jogues Church, One Community Street, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Friday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, (Section M), Bloomfield. Relatives and friends may call at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Thursday (November 17th) from 4-6:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Peter’s name may be made to St. Isaac Jogues Church, c/o 15 Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford, CT 06108. Peter’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire staffs at Fox Hill Nursing Center in Vernon and the John DeQuattro Cancer Center in Manchester for their professionalism, love, and compassionate care given to Peter and his family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.