Dr. Giuseppe "Joe" Santaniello

Dr. Giuseppe "Joe" Santaniello 1942 - 2023 Dr. Giuseppe (Joe) P. Santaniello (retired Brigadier General), of Longmeadow Massachusetts passed away unexpectedly on February 24, 2023. Born in Springfield MA, Dr. Santaniello was a private practice orthodontist in East Longmeadow, MA and Enfield, CT. He attended Technical High School followed by American International College. His dental career began when he graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Maryland in 1968. In 1974, he attended State University of New York in Buffalo for his Masters of Science degree in Orthodontics. While in dental school, his military career began in 1966 when he commissioned in the Air Force as a First Lieutenant and served as an Assistant Base Dental Surgeon while on active duty. In 1972, he separated from active duty and joined the Air Force Reserves. Throughout his career, he rose through the ranks and was eventually promoted to Brigadier General in 1997. From 1998-2002, he served as the Air Force Reserve Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Surgeon General at the Pentagon. Before retiring from the USAF in 2002, he received numerous medals and commendations, notably the Meritorious Service Medal. Joe was not your average 80 year old. He was still actively running his two practices, where he loved engaging with his patients and staff. On his lunch breaks, you would find him running 2 miles daily. In his free time, he was an avid biker, still biking 20 miles at a time. During the summer, he enjoyed cruising on his boat the "Gina Maria" which was docked in Mystic, CT, and golfing at Longmeadow Country Club where he was a member. He enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to have traveled the world. Joe was predeceased by his wife Eva who passed away in 2007, and parents Christine & Antonio. He leaves behind his daughter Gina, his brother Pasquale and wife Irene Santaniello, sister Rosie & husband David Motyka, sister Gilda Arnett, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Services will be held on Wednesday March 8, 2023. Visiting hours will be from 9:30-11:00am at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation on 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow MA; followed by a procession to St. Anthony's Maronite Catholic Church, 419 Island Pond Road in Springfield for a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00pm. Entombment will be in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Giuseppe Santaniello's memory to Mary Anne's Kids, Attn: Fundraising Office, 332 Birnie Ave, Springfield MA 01107. For more information or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com.