Salvatore W. Santoro

Salvatore William Santoro, age 97, of Heritage Hall, Leesburg, Virginia, who loved life and fought his age-onset anemia while still playing his harmonica, went home to be with his Savior in the early morning hours of Monday, April 22, 2013. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 16, 1915. Salvatore’s parents immigrated from Italy to America around 1900. He was the last surviving sibling in his family and is preceded by his father and mother, Tommaso and Giuseppina (Josephine); brothers: Thomas, Vincenzo (Jimmy), Joseph, Ralph, and Philip; sisters, Jeanne Janecki and Susie; his first wife Emma Lawson Santoro; his only daughter Lynn Hankinson; and great-grandson, Scott Root. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Joann Lackey; granddaughters Donna Linton, Nancy Hylton, Natasha Mele, Valerie Mosiurchak, Yvonne Corkey, and Lynn Hankinson; eight great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends. Shortly after the bombing in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Salvatore and his younger brother enlisted in the military. Salvatore’s distinctive U.S. Army tour of duty started on D-Day, June 6, 1944 on Omaha Beach. He also fought in the bloodiest battle in U.S. history – the Battle of the Bulge. Later, he participated in the liberation of Czechoslovakia under General George S. Patton. In December of 2011, Salvatore was visited by a resident’s wife Kathryn Nikkel. After a brief discussion, it was discovered that Salvatore was one of the soldiers who freed Kathryn some 70 years earlier from a Nazi slave labor camp. Salvatore received many combat awards for his heroism including Purple Hearts, bronze and silver medal. Salvatore retired several times. He worked at Dugan’s Bakery, Grossinger’s Resort, Copiague Schools, and most recently Publix in St. Petersburg, Florida at age 88. A memorial service was held by Father Peffley of St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Heritage Hall, 122 Morven Park Road Leesburg, VA. Internment services for Salvatore will be held on November 22, 2013 at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that your thoughtful gesture be made in the form of a donation to VFW Post 177, Loudoun County, Leesburg, VA.

Salvatore W. Santoro

May 16, 1915 - April 22, 2013