Gerald D. Santore

LONDONDERRY, N.H. — Gerald "Jerry" D. Santore, 86, of Londonderry, N.H., died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 in the Parkland Medical Center, Derry.

Mr. Santore was born in Lawrence, on April 14, 1922, a son of the late Ralph and Anna (Schivone) Santore. Jerry grew up in the Lawrence area. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He married Claire I. Demers in Haverhill, in 1948 and they moved to California. Upon their return to New England, he opened up his restaurant, The Italian Kitchen, in Woodbury, Conn. He went on to manage The Charcoal Chef, also in Woodbury, until his retirement.

In retirement they moved to Cape Cod, where he enjoyed his part-time job at a golf course. In 1996 they moved to Londonderry where for the past 14 years he lovingly and unselfishly cared for his wife following her stroke. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus while in Connecticut, loved gardening and was a wonderful cook. Jerry loved to dance and had won dance contests as a young man. He will be remembered for his love of life, his love of family and friends and his love of laughter.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Claire I. (Demers) Santore of Derry; three daughters, Marjorie Besson of Santa Monica, Calif., Virginia Roosevelt of Newport, R.I., Melanie Cull of Monroe, Conn.; 11 grandchildren, three great-grandsons, a sister, Mary Campolini of Methuen, and also by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Ralph Santore Jr.

ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. The burial will be in the High Street Cemetery, Hampton, N.H. To send a condolence or for more information, please visit, www.peabodyfuneralhome.com.