Thomas A. Santoro

SANTORO
Thomas A. (Tom) “T”
Thomas A. Santoro, 65, of Maumee, Ohio, was tragically killed in a biking accident while vacationing in California with his wife on Friday, May 20, 2016. Tom was born in Toledo, Ohio, on October 23, 1950, to Tony and Mary (Palombi) Santoro. He attended Holy Rosary School and graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School in 1968. Tom earned his Bachelor's in Education at the University of Toledo in 1975. His teaching and coaching career began at Cardinal Stritch High School, where he taught English and Health and was an Assistant (Offensive Line coach) for the Cardinals from 1974-1979. Tom taught English and was an Assistant (Offensive Line Coach) at Tiffin Columbian High School from 1980-1982. Tom devoted the remainder of his 29 year teaching and coaching career to Central Catholic High School. He taught English, Health and Multi-Media and was Senior Class Advisor from 1982-1998 and served on the Local Professional Development Committee from 2001-2008. Throughout his years of coaching at Central, he served as Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach, Defensive End Coach, Special Team's Coordinator and Quarterback Coach. Tom was Central's Head Coach from 1994-1999. For many years, Tom worked at Camp America Football camp in Oxford, Ohio, Offense-Defense Instructional Football Camp in California and UCLA's summer football camp. Coach Santoro retired in 2011, but still volunteered on the football staff performing various duties. His love for Irish football never ended. Over his years in coaching, Tom had seen many young men make it to the collegiate and NFL levels.
Tom was a member of the Northwest Ohio Football Coaches Association, starting in 1982, serving as president from 1994-1995 and 2006-2007. Tom served on the Birmingham Hall of Fame Advisory Committee from 1995-1999 and proudly served on the Maumee-BG Elks (Lodge 1850) Scholarship Committee until the time of his death.
He was proud of being inducted into the Birmingham Hall of Fame in 1993, receiving the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Sportsmanship award in 1994, the National Football Foundation Toledo Chapter Coaches Award in 1994, the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame Regional Football Coach of the Year in 1994, and the first ever awarded, National Football Foundation Tom Amstutz Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2010.
During his time at Central as a classroom teacher, his students may have at first questioned what his obsession was with the TV show The Wonder Years. Those students would soon understand the relevance of his teachings and learn life lessons. If you ask any of his past students or athletes what they learned from Mr. Santoro, the overwhelming response would be, compassion, kindness and to live life to the fullest.
Aside from being a teacher, coach and mentor, Tom was a loving and caring family man and friend to many. He enjoyed a variety things such as, caring for his roses, daily NY Times crossword puzzles, watching the History Channel and TCM and obviously, biking. He biked all over the U.S. and in Italy. One of his other favorite shows was The Big Bang Theory. Tom was a true “ride warrior” frequenting Cedar Point as Platinum pass holder and was a member of the Great Ohio Coaster Club. He loved cars and car care. He dreamed of one day owning a red Ferrari.
On June 20, 1998, Tom married his best friend and soul mate, Susan (Hauenstein). Together they would travel throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, making many close friends all over the world. Waikiki became their second home for most of the winter. This is the place where together they would find laughter with their Ohana, relaxation and a healthy, active lifestyle. His love for teaching and coaching was very dear to him, but what was truly most important to Tom was spending time with his wife, family and friends. Although T was taken from us too soon, his smile, goodwill and genuineness will live on forever.
Tom is survived by his wife, Susan; sister, MaryElyse (Dale) Stickel; nephews, Andy (Erin) Stickel, Brian Stickel, Garrett (Kylie) Hauenstein; niece, Chloe Hauenstein; brothers-in-law, Eric (Abby Jones) and Michael Hauenstein; aunts, Fran, Jean, Marlene; cousins, Jim, Larry, Tony, Gary, Tim, Marsha, Joanie, Anna Marie, Joe, Paula, Mark, Rex, John, Anne Michelle, Michael, Julie, Frank and Sara; great-nieces, Claire, Brooklynn, Brenna and Gracelynn; great-nephew Carter; feline companions, Enzo and Sophia and many loving and caring extended family members. Also left to cherish his memory are hundreds of coaching friends, former students, players and friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents and father and mother-in-law, Hank and Lucy Hauenstein.
Friends and family may visit Eggleston-Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, 440 S. Coy Rd., Oregon, Ohio 43616 on Friday, June 3, 2016, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, June 4, 2016, the family will greet friends starting at 11:30 a.m. until the time of the Celebration of Tom's Life at 1:00 p.m., which will take place at Central Catholic High School, in the Sullivan Center, 2550 Cherry St., Toledo, OH 43608. T always stated that he wanted people to wear Aloha attire to his Celebration of Life, so please dress accordingly to honor him. Interment will be private.
The family requests no flowers. Tom's family requests donations to the Ride of Silence (www.wearetraffic.org), Central Catholic High School football program, Maumee-BG Elks (Lodge 1850) Scholarship Fund or to the charity of the donor's choice.
www.eggleston-meinert.com
Aloha - greetings, regards, kindness, compassion, affection, love!
As published in The Blade