John Anthony Santorelli

John Anthony Santorelli, 77, of St. Augustine, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 after a three-year fight with ALS.Ê He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rosalie; his children, John, Ben, Annmarie and Rosann; his grandchildren, Zachary, Amber, Christopher, BJ, Brandon and Jordon; and his great-grandchildren, Austin, Isabelle and Chandler.Ê John was born in Flushing, N.Y., in 1933 to John and Marie Santorelli.Ê

He earned his degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College, in Riverside, N.Y.Ê With his degree, he worked for the City of New York as a project engineer, as well as with the federal government as a civil engineer, where he traveled all over the U.S, including working for a period of time in the Pentagon.Ê In 1959, John suggested requiring seat belts in all federal government vehicles.Ê In 1967, he ran for Congress in Queens, N.Y.Ê In 1968, he transferred to Jacksonville, Fla. with the Corps of Engineers, and discovered St. Augustine, where he and his wife settled down, and have lived since.Ê

While residing in St. Augustine, John was active in the community.Ê He served as the president of the Parent and Teacher Organization of the Cathedral Parish School, as well as on the Port Authority of St. Augustine.Ê He was actively involved in Right to Life, served as the chairman of the pool committee for the Elk"s and served as the Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus.Ê John hosted a local television interview show called "Profiles of Success" for eight years.Ê John was a devout Catholic, always striving for Sainthood.Ê He contributed to maintaining the religious calendar program, consulted on plans for St. Joseph Academy and St. Anastasia Church, as well as the seawall at the Mission grounds.

ÊJohn had a passion for travel and meeting new people.Ê He traveled all over the world, including England, Ireland, France, Italy, Russia, Australia and South America.Ê Everywhere he went he made several new friends.Ê For John, there was no language barrier.Ê He asked everyone he met where they were from.ÊÊ John loved to tell stories and jokes.Ê He loved to go to the Italian-American Club and socialize.Ê

ÊThere will be viewings at the Craig Funeral Home on Monday, Dec. 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with prayers at 6 p.m. ELKS service at 6:30 and K of C at 7 p.m., all at Craig Funeral Home on Tuesday. The funeral service will be held at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Augustine on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 10am.Ê

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ALS Association, 3242 Parksie Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619,Ê www.alsa.org.

Arrangements by Craig Funeral Home.