Lawrence Del Santo

1934 - 2021

Lawrence Aristide Del Santo
January 12, 1934 – June 11, 2021
Lawrence "Larry" Aristide Del Santo, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather went home to God on June 11th, 2021 at the age of 87.
Larry was born in 1934 in Ross, California to Marie and Aristide Del Santo, later moving to San Mateo where he was raised with his cherished sister, Mary Lou (Brignolo) Harris. He attended Serra High School and the University of San Francisco (USF), graduating with a B.S. in Marketing. Following graduation, he fulfilled his ROTC responsibilities, moving to Germany to serve as an officer in the Army. He lived in Stuttgart for two years, where the first of his 12 children was born.
Larry was considered a titan in the supermarket industry having led both Vons Companies, Inc. and Lucky Stores. He began his career in 1957 for the Vons Grocery Company progressing to President and CEO. In 1975 Larry joined Household International, the parent company of Vons, and was promoted to Executive Vice President. In 1984 he left Household to ultimately assume the title of CEO and member of the Board of Lucky Stores. In 1993 he returned to where he began his career, Vons, as Chairman and CEO, retiring in 1997.
Early on in his life, Larry showed his exceptional ability to lead people. From the football team in high school and college to his early days at Vons, Larry knew every person on his team and cared about the details of their lives. People looked forward to his quick wit and humor to brighten the day. Larry focused on customer service and care for employees. He introduced countless innovative customer service programs and leading-edge marketing campaigns. Companies flourished under his leadership.
He served on the boards of various companies and charitable organizations. These included, PetSmart, SuperValu, AG Ferrari and Sheedy Drayage. He also served as a Trustee of USF and the Tomas Rivera Center. He was a director of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, Los Angeles Business Advisors and the Food Marketing Institute. He was particularly proud of serving on the Board of Trustees at University of San Francisco. Education was one of Larry's greatest achievements and gifts. He was the first in his family to get his degree and he was beyond delighted that each of his 12 children graduated from college. He also lived to see nearly half of his grandchildren graduate from college. He undoubtedly will be just as delighted to watch the rest graduate from his front row seat in heaven.
A devout Catholic, Larry was a parishioner at Santa Maria Church in Orinda for more than 30 years. He loved to travel, play golf, and spend time with his friends and family.
Larry was preceded in death by his first wife, Rebecca Diepenbrock Del Santo and his eldest son, Lawrence Anthony Del Santo. Larry is survived by his wife of 18 years, Mary (McAboy) Del Santo and 11 of his 12 children and their spouses; Larry (d. 2016) and Kelli (Harrigan), Mike and Nancy (DeRogatis), Mary and Brian Hogan, Therese and Brian Farley, John and Maureen (Meagher), Cloey Del Santo, Becky and Brian Selna, Patty and Brian Sackinsky, Katie and Mike Brandt, Tony and Julie (Dudum), Chris and Melissa (Edlund) and Laura and Colin Harter. He also leaves behind 37 grandchildren; Larry (Chris Votaw), Catherine Davis (Nik) and Will Del Santo, Joan Elise and Michael Del Santo, Becky, Brian, John (Valerie Schub) and Chris Hogan, Patrick, Annie and Katie Farley, Maddie, Jack and Colin Del Santo, Cloey, Charlie, Laura, Bridget, Caroline and Libby Selna, Maggie, Mary Kate, Tom, Ben and Joe Sackinsky, Grace and Molly Grantz, AJ, Rocco, DeLuca and Lola Del Santo, Brooklynn and Delaney Del Santo and Charley, Addie and Lucy Harter. The first of what is sure to be many great grandchildren, Eloise Davis also survives her PopPop.
Faith, family, and friendships were the three pillars of his life and as a result, he touched the lives of many and will be missed by all. If asked, Larry would say that his greatest life achievement was his family. He was infinitely proud of his wife, Mary, his 12 children and 37 grandchildren. Eloise, his "first great" was a crowning achievement in his ever expanding and love-filled family.
A Celebration of Life for Larry Del Santo will be held at Saint Ignatius Church at 650 Parker Avenue in San Francisco on June 28th at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Larry's memory, contributions can be made to Mission Dolores Academy in San Francisco or The University of San Francisco - two causes very near and dear to his heart.