Gerald John Santangelo

WAPPINGERS FALLS – Gerald John Santangelo, a local area resident for many years, died at Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing at Hopewell in Fishkill on April 7, 2024. He was 90.
Son of the late Gerald and Frances (Zumpano) Santangelo, he was born on August 8, 1933, in United Hospital, Port Chester, NY. Gerald was president of the Port Chester High School Band and was inducted into the National AEOLIAN SOCIETY, an organization dedicated to gifted and performing musicians.
He attended Georgetown University, was a member of the University Band marched in President Eisenhower's inauguration parade, sang in the men's choir, starred in the senior musical, and is a member of the Georgetown Theatre Alumni and the Georgetown Reunion Committee.
He served two years in the United States Army and is a Korean War Veteran.
Mr. Santangelo was a 40-year veteran of radio, television, and theater. He was known professionally as Jerry Sanders. During his career, he was Program Director of WFBL RADIO in Syracuse, NY, sports anchorman at WHEN-TV, and starred in the TV series Ladybugs Garden at WNYS-TV, now in syndication. He was an Assistant Director at WTBY-TV. Mr. Santangelo did radio play-by-play of The Syracuse Chiefs, The NY Yankees Triple-A team in the International League, radio play-by-play of LeMoyne College basketball, and television play-by-play coverage of Syracuse University basketball. For 40 years he covered PGA, LPGA, and Senior PGA tour events.
Upon retiring from broadcasting, he served as President and CEO of Sanders Management Corporation. Mr. Santangelo was active in regional theater, performing with the renowned Pompeian Players, both as lead actor and drama director. He was an avid golfer, playing to a 3 handicap in 1969. Locally he was a member of the Pleasant Valley Golf League.
A Roman Catholic, he served as president of Parish Councils, was a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, treasurer of the Cursillo Secretariat, Parish Baptism Committee, Parish Building committee, parish newspapers, Vicariate Councils, chaired by Bishop Mahoney, and served as personal chaperone to the late Cardinal John J. O'Connor, Archbishop of New York. Mr. Santangelo was an accomplished photographer. He and his wife Dolores loved to travel, specializing in Old Europe. More than anything, he loved being with Dolores. They were married for 67 years.
He married Dolores Miller at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Minetto, NY, on May 11, 1957. She survives at home. He is also survived by his daughter, Virginia Leggio of Mahopac, and son Christopher of Brewster, NY. Gerald had five grandchildren: Sarah (Taggart) Hovnanian, Christian Fronckowiak, Lindsay Leggio, Nicholas Santangelo, Makayla Santangelo, two sons-in-law, Joseph Fronckowiak, Tom Leggio and grandson-in-law, Haik Hovnanian and one daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Disbrow) Santangelo. Along with his parents he is predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Schmid, daughter Elizabeth Fronckowiak, and his granddaughter Jacqueline Fronckowiak.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 11 at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Interment of ashes will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12th at St. Denis Cemetery, 604 Beekman Rd, Hopewell Junction. For directions and online tributes, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.