Obituary of Ernest J. Santo

Ernest J. "Ernie" Santo, age 93, beloved husband of Susanna (Kok) Santo, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024, at St. Vincent Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Born in New Haven on November 10, 1931, he was the son of the late Ernest and Rose (Izzo) Santo.

Ernie was a graduate of Bassick High School in Bridgeport where his long-standing baseball career began. He was considered one of the premiere pitchers in the area and possessed an outstanding fast ball and breaking pitch. After serving in the US Army in Korea from 1952-1954, Ernie joined the powerful White Eagles and led them to three straight league titles and two New England championships. The Midland Indians of the Southwestern League signed him where he played for a year upon returning to the area in 1957 to play with various teams. He was a longstanding member of The Greater Bridgeport Oldtimers' Athletic Association and received several outstanding athlete awards.

Following in his father's footsteps, Ernie became a bricklayer and member of Local 1 Bricklayers Union in Bridgeport and Local 1 CT. He was a Masonry Superintendent at Fusco Corp. and was recently recognized for 75 years of service and dedication to the International Union of Bricklayers and trowel trades.

Ernie and his beloved wife Susanna of 57 years enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling to their favorite island of Aruba, dining out, golfing and bowling. Ernie was an avid sports fan with a passion for the NY Yankees and the UCONN Huskies. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather.

In addition to his wife Susanna, survivors include his four loving children, Ronald Santo and his wife Ann Marie of Milford, Michele Santo of Norwalk, Ernest Santo and his wife Marta of Orlando, Florida and Robbin Stevens of Wildwood, Florida, his sister Carol Nabatoff, and four cherished grandchildren, Sara Dineen (Kyle), Emily Santo, Ricky Santo (Melissa) and Jami Wheeler (Derek) as well as several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Two brothers Robert and Frank Santo predeceased him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Stephen Church, 6948 Main St., Trumbull. Interment will be private. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Saturday morning 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stratford Oldtimers Athletic Association at SOAA, PO Box 226, Stratford, CT 06615, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org