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Surferane Santos Obituary
Sonny was the oldest son of Surferane "Bunny" and Henrietta Santos, who predeceased him.
His wife Joan (Tucker) Santos passed June 8, 2020. They met at the Westerly Roller Drome in their teens. They were married for 63 years.
Sonny was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Yankees. He coached his brothers and sons in Little League, youth basketball and football.
Sonny was the first recipient of the Whitman Award in 1952 from the Stonington Como, awarded to a person of outstanding citizenship, by Director Frank Turek.
He worked at the Atwood Co. and Kellems for many years, as well as Electric Boat. He could be seen around town doing odd jobs on weekends. He worked up until he was 78 years old.
Sonny is survived by his four children, Ernie (Karen) of Westerly, R.I., Cindy (Gary) Urso and Penny (Joe) Grispino, all of Pawcatuck, and Steven (JoAnn) of Charlestown, R.I. He is also survived by his sisters, Audrey Lehron of Tampa, Fla., Johonor Santos of Ledyard, and Terry (Sandy) Grimes and Bunny Wilcox, all of Stonington; brothers, Ernie of Andover, Vt. and Bob of Stonington; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westerly Hospital as well as Karen Santos and Isabell Fitts for their kind care, and Cindy and Gary for their loving care for 14 years.
Visiting hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. Funeral service and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beacon Hospice in Sonny's memory. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Surferane Santos
Sponsored by Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly.
Jan
June 29, 2022
May the God of comfort bring the family peace.
Mark Paul
June 15, 2022
Ernie, Cindy, Penny, Steve and all the Santos family, Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. Sonny was truly one of a kind...caring, dedicated, loving, hard working and a true role model to all who knew him. His passion for family was always his first priority. Having lost my Dad at 9...Sonny was always there for me in younger years...oh yes...Ernie and I were under Sonny's watch and learned quick the responsible way of growing up....little league, pee wee football, Como and pitching in around the Borough! Loading up the Corvair for a trip to DQ with every child that could fit in with he and Joan!! Many mornings woken early to assist with cleaning up "The Point" from the night before. Please find comfort in the many happy memories. Sonny was a legend to me, the perfect example of a loving family man! May God welcome him through the gates of heaven. Rest In Peace Sonny....until we meet again God bless..
Lila (Miner) Cleveland
June 12, 2022
Terry and family, Extending deepest sympathy to all of you at this time. Hold in your hearts the cherrished memories as they will last forever. Lila
Kevin Kelliher
June 11, 2022
Ernie, Cindy, Penny, Steve and family-
I would like to extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences.
A poem for your thoughts:
"When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go."
Ernie, the memories of moving your family from the Stonington Borough to Watch Hill Ave. are still as vivid in my mind as the day is long. Both your Mom and Dad were wonderful people. I will always remember the "treasured memories" out and about in Stonington (The Como, The Point, diving off the bridge, etc.).
Your Dad was a blessed soul. Please hold the memories of him near and dear . . .may they be your strength and guide you moving forward.
Thought and prayers,
Kevin Kelliher
Jessica D Morrissey
June 11, 2022
R.I.P. Sonny and God Bless the Santos Family. He is forever with you in your Hearts.
Julie Johnson
June 10, 2022
So sorry to hear this. Sonny was always a favorite of mine. Such a nice, kind man. Every time I saw him we always got into a conversation, and it was never short! May he rest in peace and may his family find comfort in their memories of him.
Fred Souza
June 10, 2022
Bunny, Terry and the rest of the Santos family, I am sorry for your loss. Treasure those memories we all have of the "old" Stonington that was the fabric of our lives, and keep his memory always with you.
Toni Roderick Remor
June 10, 2022
Very sorry to hear. My thoughts and prayers with entire family.
Terrence G McKenna
June 10, 2022
To all the Santos Family,
I'm very sorry to read of Sonny's passing. He was a wonderful person and very much a gentleman.
That man could dance!!!!
God bless,
Terry McKenna
Melissa Wilcox Watson
June 10, 2022
Bunny, I am sorry for your loss.
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Memorial Events
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Jun
12
Visitation
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly59 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Funeral services provided by:
Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly59 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891
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