Show All » 09-28-2010 » De Santis, Peter

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Mr. Peter P. De Santis


Peter De Santis

Peter P. De Santis, 89, of Lorain, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, after a long illness.


Pete was the former owner of De Santis Frito Lay Distributing Company and well known in Lorain County for his spirit of friendship and generosity. People lovingly referred to him as Mr. Chips since he cheerfully gave a hand shake, a smile and free bags of snacks whereever he went.


He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to Fillipo and Laura De Santis who moved to Lorain in 1922. He loved playing sports and played on the undefeated Lorain High Football team of 1939 who beat the Woody Hayes New Philadelphia team. This football team was inducted into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame. He also played softball as a catcher for City League and the Open Hearth from 1936 to 1944.


Drafted into the Army during WWII, Pete played on the All Star Baseball Team and All Star Basketball teams which toured different U.S. bases. Pete was then assigned to the U.S. Coast Artillery as a Special Duty Officer with the Special Services Division at the U.S. Naval Base in Kodiak, Alaska. Pete personally trained over 500 Army/Navy men in various sports. During his army boxing career, he went on to win the title for the Heavy Weight Champion of Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, and N.W. Pacific Army and Navy sector.


After the war, Pete returned to Lorain and married his beloved Jean L. DeMaria, Elyria, Ohio. They spent 58 years together and raised one daughter, Jean Marie Morgan, of Amherst. And their loving household eventually grew to include their granddaughter, Christy Morgan Whiteside, and three nieces and nephews; Brad Mullins, Dr. John C. Mullins, and Laura Mullins Tate. Pete loved a game of golf on Sunday morning, followed by a traditional spaghetti dinner with everyone gathered at the dinner table, and then crowding around the television and cheering for Ohio State. He also loved family get-togethers, at his pool, where he liked to teach all the kids how to swim. As a Dad or Uncle, or Grandfather, or brother, his love and generosity could always be felt and cherished. They felt blessed to have experienced his indomitable spirit and enthusiasm for life and the love and generosity of his big heart.


As a young, ambitious, and friendly young man, he started in his mothers garage and developed his small snack food company into the De Santis Frito Lay Distributing Company. His company was the only independently owned Frito Lay Distributing Center in the country. Pete retired in 2002, at 81 years old, after 56 years in business. He was honored by employees, family, and friends at his retirement party and given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Frito Lay Corporation.


During his life, he gave generously to his community by sponsoring countless numbers of Little League teams, baseball and softball teams, bowling and basketball teams, golf teams, boxing gyms, and even Soap Box Derbies. He founded the De Santis Boxing Club and trained young men for the Golden Gloves for over 45 years. He is recognized as reviving the Golden Gloves in the city of Lorain. He was inducted to the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and voted The Man of the Year by the Lorain Jaycees in 1967. He was an Honorary Member of the I. A.V., Knights of Columbus, AMVETS, VFW, American Legion, Lorain Chamber of Commerce, St. Vincent De Paul Society, National AAU and Cleveland Amateur Boxing Association. He has been a life long member of St. Peters Church.


Pete enjoyed golfing with his buddies at different courses and bowling with his team at Rebmans. He loved traveling to see Ohio State play football and to Wittenberg to see his nephews play football. He enjoyed traveling to Ft. Myers Beach in the winter.


Peter is survived by his daughter, Jean Marie Morgan of Amherst; his granddaughter, Christy M. Whiteside of Westlake; his nephew, Bradly Mullins of Lorain; his nephew, Dr. John C. Mullins of Avon Lake; his niece, Laura Tate (nee: Mullins) of St. Charles, Illinois; his sister, Eleanor Shulsky-DiLuciano of Lorain; and his sister-in-law, Janice De Santis.


He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean De Santis; his parents: Laura and Fillipo De Santis; his brothers, Mario De Santis and Joseph DeSantis; and his sister, Mary Jo Mullins (nee:De Santis).


The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain, (440)244-1961 on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 1:00 7:00 PM. The Lorain Sports Hall of Fame will coduct a service at the funeral home on Sunday at 1:00 PM. Closing prayers will be held at the funeral home Monday morning at 10:15 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 4, 2010 at St. Peter Church, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44053, Rev. Craig Hovanec, Pastor, officiating. Christian entombment services will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, where military honors will be conducted by the Italian American Veterans Post #1. Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter Church, 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44053. Online condolences may be sent using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.

Posted By: RSG Funeral Home @ 4:53:03 PM

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Condolence

Posted By: Amy DiFilippo

I learned from Mickey today that Mr. De Santis passed away, and wanted to let the family know how sorry I was. My family owned the Dairy Isle that was on 21st Street in Lorain and Mr. De Santis often came to buy cones for "the girls in the office." It was always impressive that his hands could carry all of the cones he ordered! He was a kind & handsome gentleman, with a charismatic smile. The world has lost a great man. He, and all of you are in my prayers.

Posted on: 10/12/2010 7:45:47 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Eugenia Meimaridis Maish

Our family grew up a few houses away from the DeSantis' house. Mr. and Mrs. DeSantis were always the kindest of neighbors and watched out for the safety of all the kids playing in the neighborhood. Mr. DeSantis' sense of humor and love for life was evident the many times he came out on the side porch to greet whichever of us was running by. **Our family extends long-distance condolences to the DeSantis and Mullins family. The Meimaridis Family (formerly of West Erie Ave.)

Posted on: 10/12/2010 4:49:05 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Priscilla Adams Wood

Jibby and family. My brother sent me this notice of your loss. It so hard to grow old, and the loss of our family and friends is terrible. I will always remember your mom's cooking and your dad's cheeful smile.He loved us all. Please know you are in my thoughts. Jibby, email me,I miss you! We had so much fun as kids. Priscilla

Posted on: 10/4/2010 10:30:47 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Sam Trifiletti

To the Desantis Family: Please accept our condolences in your recent loss. Pete was a wonderful person and he was a customer of Trifiletti's Service Station for many years. Our family has a lot of good memories of Pete. Sincerely, The Trifiletti Family

Posted on: 10/3/2010 7:56:58 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Edward R. Mantin

DeSantis and Mullins Family: Our condolences to everyone on your loss of a great man, a wonderful person and a good friend.... Eddie and Jackie Mantin

Posted on: 10/3/2010 10:50:44 AM


Condolence

Posted By: Josie Brown Good

Uncle Pete was an incredible man in so many ways. I always felt so loved and welcomed by both Pete and Jean. I was incredibly blessed to have them in my life. There will always be a special place in my heart for everyone in the DeSantis/Mullins family. I am so sorry for your loss. Much love, Josie

Posted on: 10/1/2010 12:17:29 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Robert Whorton

I met Pete in 1967. I stopped to see if I could service his office equipment. I told him that I was starting a new business and he would be my first customer. He said welcome aboard. I then experienced the first of many firm handshakes and that big smile.He was one of the kinder people that I have known. After every service call, I would find an assortment of bags of chips in the car. He didn't know how they got there but to give them to my wife and kids. He let be me service his equipment until he sold his business. He then drove me to his house to introduce me to his wife and daughter. The last time that I experienced his kindness, was the time that I took my wife to a restaurant. When I asked for the bill the waitress said it was already paid. She said that she was sworn to secrecy. The greeter told me that it was a christmas gift from Pete. I deeply regret that I didn't see him before he died.

Posted on: 9/30/2010 10:36:24 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Michael J. Moore, Sr.

I worked at DeSantis Distributing as a Driver/Salesman for Peter (84-89). I learned a lot from Pete and regarded him as a great businessman, a loyal friend and a true gentleman. I am so glad I stopped to visit him at Anchor Lodge only just a few weeks ago. He was every bit as gracious as I remembered him while working for him. I will always remember him and will cherish our short visit. Mike

Posted on: 9/30/2010 8:28:46 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Mark LaForce

Dear De Santis family, Pete was the gentlemen's gentlemen and was the type of person that made Lorain, Ohio a great place to grow up and live. He was certainly true to you; his family, because you were always number one. I will miss seeing Pete at events like the Lorain Hall of Fame banquet. Please accept my condolences and find comfort in knowing he is fine now with God and family in paradise. Take care of each other. Mark LaForce Dayton, Ohio

Posted on: 9/30/2010 4:38:41 PM


Condolence

Posted By: Michael Pawlowski

To the De Santis and Mullin's families, very sorry to learn of your loss. Seems like only yesterday we enjoyed cool dips in your Uncle's pool. Being invited over was a real pleasure and those summers during the 70's were all the better for us because of his generosity. Lorain will never be the same because of his passing and the world was certainly a better place because of him. Thanks to him and thanks to you all for sharing.

Posted on: 9/30/2010 11:40:35 AM


Condolence

Posted By: Dee

Pete had a heart of gold and Iam blessed to have known and cared for him. When I came to work for Pete I was hoping to impact his life, instead he impacted mine.They say angels do walk the earth and Pete was definatley one of them..popular as the pope! I will miss you immensley my friend..till will meet again. Dee

Posted on: 9/30/2010 7:27:06 AM


Condolence

Posted By: Lisa Catanzarite Melby

Dear DeSantis Family- I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Mr. DeSantis. I know how difficult this must be for you all. He was a man of such strength- inner and outer. I remember as kids how he would throw us in the pool! He was always so kind and loving and so much fun! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa

Posted on: 9/30/2010 12:18:53 AM


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