Lt. Col. Richard Eugene DeSantis

1943 - 2025

Lt. Col. Richard Eugene DeSantis, 81, of West Clarion Road, Brockway, PA died on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the DuBois Nursing Home.

Born on August 15, 1943, in DuBois, PA, he was the son of the late Romeo and Norma Fortunato DeSantis.

He was a 1961 graduate of the Brockway High School. On July 25, 1999, he was married to Lana Carlson and she survives.

Rich had been employed at O-I/Brockway Glass for over 30 years retiring in 1993. He was a member of St. Tobias Church in Brockway. Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and trained at Paris Island, South Carolina. He was a qualified Rifle Expert and Pistol Sharpshooter. Medals that Rich received include: Purple Heart recipient for being wounded in combat on June 20, 1966, Marine Corp Combat Action Medal, Naval Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Events that Rich had the honor of participating in include Presidential Security in DC Camp David-1963, President John F. Kennedy's funeral, Blair House Security, 1965-1966 Vietnam Eyecore, served in 1965 as an MP in Da Nang and in 1966 served as sergeant of the Guard in Quantico, VA. Rich also enjoyed public service after the Marine Corps serving as Jaycee International Senator, lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, NRA member, Lifetime Brockway VFW member, lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, former commander of Parson-Marnati Post #95 of the American Legion in Brockway, lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans, former president of Sons of Italy Club in Brockway and served on Post #95's Funeral Detail Firing squad.

In his spare time, Rich enjoyed golfing and firearms, especially shooting pistols.

In addition to his wife Lana, he is also survived by a step-daughter, Jody (Michael) Lindemuth; a daughter, Katie (Lee) McCranie; a son, Matthew "Casey" (Therese) DeSantis; brother, Paul (Kathy) DeSantis; a sister, Virginia Smith; grandchildren: step-granddaughter Mandy (Kurtis) Palmer; Paul McCranie; Sylvia McCranie; Taylor Scardasis; Dante DeSantis and a step-grandchild Sean Doyle. He is also survived by two great-granddaughters.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Don DeSantis, and a sister, Paulene Strawcutter.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 10-11 a.m. at St. Tobias Church in Brockway. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11 a.m., with Fr. John Detisch presiding. Burial will follow in St. Tobias Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded at the church by Parson-Marnati Post #95 of the American Legion Funeral Burial Detail.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tunnel for Towers Foundation at t2t.org or the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org. The Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. of Brockway is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at csfhinc.com.