Name: Calling hours for Gary Michael Santorso
Start: 2021-07-07T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-07-07T23:00:00.000Z
Location: O'Brien Funeral Home - Bristol

Gary Michael Santorso, 69, of Farmington, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021 surrounded by his family at home. He was born on Sept. 24, 1951 in Hartford and was the son of Mary (Fortunato) and the late William Santorso. Gary was a graduate of Marianapolis Prep School in Thompson. In 1973 after his father's passing, he stepped into his role as manager of the family business, The Silo Restaurant of Farmington. He spent many afternoons at The Country Club of Farmington, perfecting his golf game. When the Silo closed in 2011, as hard as he tried, he could not stay away from his passion. In 2013 he came back to his hometown of Forestville and opened 150 Central. For the last 8 years he put his heart and soul into his restaurant making it into the "Best of Bristol" year after year. He prided himself on his handpicked and dedicated staff, who no doubt made 150 Central the place to eat in town. In his downtime, he could be found riding his Harley and prided himself on planning out many epic rides for his friends in the WestConn Hog motorcycle club. Gary was a dedicated friend to many and once you became his friend, you were family.
Besides his mother Mary, Gary is survived by his daughter Kendra and her husband Chuck Lansdale of Plantsville, his beloved granddaughter Michaela, and his fiancée Donna Simcox. He also leaves behind his sisters Susan Jones and her husband Stephen of Farmington, his sister Lee Santorso of Forestville, his nephew Todd Jones and great-nieces Molly and Emma, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Besides his father William, Gary was predeceased by his brother-in-law, John Tavera. The family would like to extend their gratitude to those special friends who helped us make Gary's final wish of coming home come true. Words cannot express how grateful we all are.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at O'Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Bristol. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brian's Angels, www.briansangels.org or Plainville Food Pantry, www.plainvillefoodpantry.org. To leave a message of condolence, share a memory or a photo, please visit Gary's memorial tribute page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Bristol Press on Jul. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Santorso

Sponsored by O'Brien Funeral Home - Bristol.

18 Entries

Sharyn Russell Marakovits

February 14, 2023

Miss you my friend,

Eric Lindquist

July 16, 2021

Sorry for your loss Santorso Family. I have wonderful memories of Gary and his buddies at The Silo having fun and holding court. He was a dear friend of my father and I am sure those two are at the corner of a bar in Heaven trading stories. Gary will be missed.

Donna Janazzo

July 12, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of GARY. I will miss going to the restaurant every Tuesday for lunch with my friend Louise. Rest in peace Gary.

The Gulfshrimp Co.

July 10, 2021

Our deepest condolences to the Santorso family and the employees of 150 Central. Gary was always a pleasure to do business with and a friend for many years. He will be missed.

Christopher Jones

July 9, 2021

What can I say other than profound sadness.....lots of good memories, both as a friend and a customer....I wish the family my sincere condolences. Cj

Sarah Guardarrama

July 9, 2021

I would like to give my condolences, to the family for the passing of Gary. May he rest in peace.

Chris and Julie Dadiskos

July 8, 2021

Our thoughts and prayers to the Santorso family.
Our deepest sympathy.

carl latko

July 8, 2021

Gary was a stand up man and will be missed by all

Brian St.Pierre

July 8, 2021

Mary God bless you and your family

Jackie and Steve Roux

July 7, 2021

Gary RIP! You are and will be Missed! You are a legend. Steve says Thanks for his first job!

Regina Cianci

July 7, 2021

Losing people we love is very difficult but we must be glad they were with us so we can smile and be joyful that they were in our lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Santorso family. RIP Gary.

Sharyn Russell Marakovits

July 7, 2021

Mary, Susan, Lee, Kendra and families, my deepest sympathies to all. Gary and I have been friends since age 5, like all his friends I will forever miss him. Love to you all, Sharyn

Dino Carbone

July 7, 2021

My condolences to Gary´s family. He was special and he will be missed by many. Rest in peace Gary.

Bruno and Linda Cerati

July 7, 2021

It is difficult to express how saddened we are at the loss of a longtime friend. Working for Gary for 20 years gave me so much pleasure and we shared many laughs. I will always cherish those years.

Sandy McCauley

July 7, 2021

Gary was one in a million ...so thoughtful and strong ... always watching to make sure everyone was content and comfortable. If you were happy- he was happy. Prayers and love to his family at this difficult time.

Mike Lynch

July 7, 2021

Rest in peace Gary. You have earned it. My sincerest condolences to your family.

Jan (provenzano) Capodi

July 6, 2021

So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. It was always a pleasure to see and talk to him during our many visits to 150 Central. Our deepest sympathy to Mary and his family. May he rest in peace

John Ross

July 6, 2021

Mary, Susan, Lee, Kendra & Family,
I am so saddened to learn of Gary´s passing. I would never have expected that his larger-than-life personally and fire that burned so brightly from within would be gone so soon. For those of us who actually knew Gary, knew that he was really just a big teddy bear with a loud roar! I can remember as a teenager working in the kitchen at The Silo, he would rush thru barking orders and everyone would scramble but as he swung around to head back out to the dining room he would wink and grin at me as he pushed out the door. He was especially good to my grandfather, John Margonelli, and my grandfather ALWAYS considered the Santorso Family a part of his family. I last saw Gary in August 2018 when I was home for my own father´s funeral. After things settled down I went for dinner with my mother and aunt to 150. There was Gary, just liked I remembered him(minus the suit) running around like crazy, sweating because the a/c was out in half the restaurant and he was reseating everyone (with their meals) in the section of the dining room with air conditioning. Once it calmed down he came and sat with us, reminiscing about my dad and grandfather. The caring, friendly Gary I always remembered. I hope, as the pain of loosing him diminishes, the memories will make you smile and laugh.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results