Joseph A. "Joe Sunday" Santillo Jr.

Joseph A. "Joe Sunday" Santillo, Jr.

AGE: 84 • Wilmington

Joseph A. Santillo, Jr. of Wilmington, DE accepted the Lord into his heart and went to heaven to celebrate his 85th birthday with the love of his life, Carmella F. Santillo. He was surrounded by his two daughters and son who witnessed the miracle of his passing and acceptance into the house of our Lord. Joe owned and operated Santillo's Market on 5th and Scott Sts in Wilmington until retiring at the age of 75. He spent countless hours enjoying conversation, friendships, and a quality of life most would envy with his wife by his side the entire time. He bragged about being the best kept secret in Delaware but was famous for his hot and mild sausage which he made fresh every Wednesday. Also, don't forget those Santillo burgers which he sold in the frozen food case. Joe sported a unique gold necklace of sausage links and a meat cleaver which he wore until the very end. It was an interesting conversation starter and he was more than happy to elaborate on it. He was a 1949 graduate of Salesianum High School, which he proudly boasted about. He was a member of Corpus Christi Church and an early member of the Elsmere Fire Company. Joe cherished his family vacations to Wildwood, Disney World, and Caribbean Cruises. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends who were fortunate to have known his love and generosity.

Joe is survived by his daughters, Karen Steen and her husband Jack, and Susan Santillo and Chris Keller; son, Joseph A. Santillo III and Sandy Boyer; grandchildren, John Steen and his wife Tamara, and Michael Steen; great-grandchildren, Adrianna, Anthony, Andrew, and Aiden; sisters, Angeline A. Celano (Fiore Sr); brother, Gabriel A. Santillo (Arlene); niece, Cindy Condouris; nephew, Bobby Celano; and many additional nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph A. Sr. and Gaetana Santillo; wife, Carmella F. Santillo; daughter, Anne Collison; and granddaughter, Jennifer Steen.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Cadia Pike Creek for their kind and constant care of Joe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 9th and DuPont Sts in Wilmington, on Thursday, September 8 at 12noon. Entombment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday evening, September 7 from 6-9pm. No visitation will be held on Thursday morning prior to mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 901 N. DuPont St, Wilmington, DE 19805.

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