Eugene Santi Obituary (2010) – San Francisco, CA
Eugene “Rocky” Americo Santi November 17, 1934 – July 22, 2010 After 52 years as a master plumber in San Francisco and 38 years as owner of Santi Plumbing, Gene passed away peacefully at the age of 75 surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his loving and caring wife Karen, his sister Mary Lu Owen and her husband Al, and his brother Michael Santi and his brother's wife Carol. Uncle Gene will be greatly missed by his nephews John (Tracie) Owen, Jeff (Peggy) Owen, Jim Santi Owen, Chris (Gretta) Santi and Stephen (Alyssa) Santi. He enjoyed spending time with and listening to stories about his great nieces and nephews David, Jennifer, Miranda, Jack, Rachel and Elise Marie Owen, and Kierra, Christopher Jr., Kyleigh, Alexis and Nicholas Santi. Gene also leaves behind his cousin Richard (Maureen) Santi, and his Aunt Rose of New Jersey and many cousins from both the West and East Coasts. Gene was born in Berwick, PA. “Rocky” graduated from Shickshinny High School in 1953 and earned All-State honors as a football tackle. In 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Joann Yemzow, who preceded him in death in 1992. Their honeymoon took them to San Francisco. Gene served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950's and was stationed at Fort Ord, CA. In 1995, Gene met the love of his life and his wife, Karen. The two have been inseparable ever since. They were married on October 24, 2008. Karen brought Gene many years of joy and was a great support during his years-long battle with lung disease. Gene was active in the San Francisco Athletic Italian Club, Redwood City Lodge #1991, Monte Cristo Club, Inc. and the Italian American Social Club. He always enjoyed the many great meals he shared with his club mates. Gene never lost touch with his buddies from his high school days, spending hours on the phone telling great stories about his days as a football and basketball player and his childhood in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Gene loved animals. Over the years he had many German Shepherds and cats, but his favorite was “Sugar,” a beautiful gray Abyssinian cat who will continue to share the family home with Karen. In addition to his first wife Joann, Gene was preceded in death by his loving parents, Merico and Nancy Santi, and his uncles and aunts, Geno and Nettie Santi, and Alba and Frank Rice. Thank you to Gene's many and long-time customers of Santi Plumbing (now the business of Gene's younger brother Mike) for your kindness and prayers. Friends may call after 4 p.m. on Monday, July 26th and are invited to attend the funeral service at 7 p.m. at DUGGAN'S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Cecilia Church (17th Ave. & Vicente St.) in San Francisco. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association. Please log on to www.duggansserra.com to sign the guest book.
Published in the San Francisco Chronicle on July 25, 2010.