Dr. Edward Joseph Santoro

Dr. Edward Joseph Santoro, a well- known valley Emergency Room Physician, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at his home in Ahwahnee, on Christmas Eve at the age of 76.

Dr. Santoro was born in Garfield, N.J., to Italian immigrants, Charles and Rose Santoro. Following his service in the United States Army, he graduated from the California College of Medicine which later became the USC Medical School. Dr. Santoro was a dedicated physician for 47 years.

He served the community of Simi Valley for 26 years as a family practice physician and in the communities of Reedley, Hanford, Delano and Madera. He was currently associated at Diagnostic Radiology in Fresno. He had been a resident of Eastern Madera County in the community of Ahwahnee since 1995 where he was a devout member of Our Lady of The Sierra Catholic Church in Oakhurst. He was an active 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council of the Parish. Professionally, he was a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.

In his leisure time he enjoyed raising horses, and was a member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. In addition to his beloved wife of 39 years, Katie Santoro, he is survived by his children, Deborah Turner and her husband Rob of Oakland,Calif., Stevan Craig Turner of Phoenix, Ariz., Kristi Allen and her husband Jim of Moorpark, Calif., Denise Santoro and her husband Dennis of San Diego, Calif., Michelle Santoro and her husband Jody of Chicago, Ill., Christine Smith and her husband Ron of Poway, Calif., Edward Santoro and his wife Agnieszka of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Kathleen Winters and her husband Matt of Moorpark, Calif. He is the brother of Dr. George Santoro of Corona Del Mar, Calif., Antoinette Cianci of Ontario, Calif., and Gilda Church of Reedley, Calif. He is the cherished grandfather of Jenessa Allen, Lauren Allen, Sarah Allen, Natalie Martin, Hannah Martin, David Rodriguez, Daniel Rodriguez, Hunter Smith, Phoenix Valdez, Haley Winters, McKenna Winters, Olivia Young, Cecilia Young and Julia Young.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Our Lady of The Sierra Catholic Church in Oakhurst followed by Rosary/Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, also at Our Lady of The Sierra Catholic Church. Interment will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, at The San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery . The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Catholic Charities, 149 N. Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93710, or the Knights of Columbus Wheel Chair Program c/o of the Our Lady of The Sierra Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council, P.O. Box 2499, Oakhurst, CA 93644. Services under the direction of Jay Chapel where condolence messages may be left at www.jaychapel.com.