Ross Santamaria

Ross Santamaria was born on November 21, 1942. He would have been 80 years old in just a few weeks. His father was Philip Santamaria and his mother's name was Rose Bonfiglio Santamaria (both deceased). He is survived by his wife, Martha and children: Anne and Jay Santamaria, and his brother, Philip Santamaria. Ross graduated in 1961 from West Tech High School in Cleveland. He received his Bachelors Degree from Oberlin College and his M.A. and PhD from Case and Western Reserve in Cleveland. He taught at Case and Western Reserve and Cleveland State University shortly after graduation.In 1971, he came to Elyria to work in the position of school psychologist. He met and married his wife Martha, a speech pathologist, who also worked for the Elyria school system. Here, he was instrumental in integrating handicapped children into the public school system. Prior to this, all children with physical handicapping conditions were placed in a program for children with mental disabilities.In 1975, he began his private practice in Westlake, Ohio specializing in psychology where he worked with families. He continued in this practice throughout the rest of his career. He contracted with the children's Developmental Center in Amherst, Ohio through this office. He continued his work with families who had children with handicapping conditions and behavioral issues in this Amherst facility. In 1978, he left the Elyria City School System and was hired by Medina Mental Health Board as a psychologist. Eventually, he expanded his role there to begin the First Offenders Diversion Program. He worked extensively with the court system in medina. He was then contacted by The Cleveland Police Department to work with the newly established SWAT unit. He worked with that unit to help with hostage negotiations as well as offering counseling services to police officers, and helped to determine fitness for duty. He enjoyed a varied career and loved working with people. He had many stories to tell about his work with the SWAT unit. Ross was gregarious and had a great sense of humor which carried him through times where he witnessed, in his profession, very sad and difficult issues that people sometimes face in life. He continued with his carrier until his retirement in 2018.A Memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, November 20 from 2:00p.m. until 4p.m. at the Reichlin Roberts Bollinger Funeral Home, 327 Cleveland St., Elyria, OhioA Memorial Mass will be held Monday, November 21 at 3p.m. at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 611 Lake Ave., Elyria, OhioPlease join the Santamaria family in a small reception hall afterwards, located in the church basement.Memorial donations may be made to the St. Agnes food bank table of plentywww.reichlinroberts.com