Donald M. Santo

85, of Wellesley, died Saturday, March 29 after a long illness. Santo was the founder of The Don Santo Corp., a leading importer of scientific instrumentation and well respected figure in the research community in Boston and New England in the 1970s, 80s and early 1990s. Born in Ihlen, Minnesota, Santo was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with both a DDS in Dentistry and a masters degree in anatomy, Santo was the president of A.S. Aloe for fifteen years, and moved to Boston when it became a division of the Brunswick Corp. He left to start his own scientific instrumentation company in Wellesley in 1965, and also co-developed a new chromatic staining methodology for early detection of cancerous cells in pap smears. In retirement, he joined the American Medical Writers Association in 1992 and was a contributor to scientific journals, explaining medical advances in laymens terms. He was a member of the Ex-Press Club of Sun City Arizona. A World War II veteran, Santo served in the medical corps. He was an active congregant at St. Paul's Church in Wellesley. He leaves his wife Patricia Brown Santo of Wellesley, his son William R. Santo and his wife Janice of Westwood, Susan Laidlaw and her husband Dennis of Dover, Renee Heffernan and her husband William T. of Dover and Mary Santo of Milford; two sisters, Patricia Ross of Surprise, Arizona, Dolores Santo of Lake Peppin, Minnosota, brother James Santo of Stockton, California, Robert Santo of Heartland, Arizona, six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., WELLESLEY, Thursday at 10 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Paul's Church, Wellesley, at 11 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 PM. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Paul's Church, 500 Washington St, Wellesley 02482. George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley781-235-4100