Eugene “Rocky” Americo Santi Nov. 17, 1934 – JULY 22, 2010 After fifty-two years as a San Francisco Master Plumber and thirty-eight years as owner of Santi Plumbing, Gene, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family. He is survived by his loving and caring wife, Karen, sister, Mary Lu Owen and her husband Al, and brother, Michael Santi and his wife Carol. Uncle Gene will be greatly missed by nephews, John (Tracie) Owen, Jeff (Peggy) Owen, Jim Santi Owen, Chris (Gretta) Santi, and Stephen (Alyssa) Santi. He enjoyed spending time with and hearing 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 is also survived by his close cousin Richard (Maureen) Santi as well as his Aunt Rose of New Jersey and many West and East Coasts cousins. Gene was born in Berwick, PA. “Rocky” graduated from Shickshinny High School in 1953, achieving All-State Honors as a football tackle. He married his high school sweetheart, Joann Yemzow, in 1955 who preceded him in death in 1992. Their honeymoon brought them to San Francisco. Gene served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950’s, stationed at Fort Ord, CA. Gene met the love of his life and wife, Karen, in 1995. The two have been inseparable ever since. They were married on October 24, 2008. Karen brought Gene many years of joy and provided him great support during his years of struggle with lung disease. Gene was active in the San Francisco Athletic Italian Club, the Redwood City Lodge #1991, the Monte Cristo Club, Inc., and the Italian American Social Club. He always enjoyed the many great meals he shared with his fellow club members. Gene never lost touch with his buddies from his high school days. He spent hours on the phone sharing tall tales of playing football and basketball and of growing up in northeastern PA. Gene loved animals. Over the years, he had many German Shepherds and cats but his favorite was “Sugar”, a beautiful Grey Abyssinian, who will continue to share the family home with Karen. In addition to his first wife, Joann, Gene was predeceased by his loving parents, Merico and Nancy Santi, and uncles and aunts, Geno and Nettie Santi and Alba and Frank Rice. To Gene’s many and long-time customers of Santi Plumbing (now the business of Gene’s younger brother, Mike) thank you for your kindness and prayers. Friends may visit Monday July 26, after 4PM and are invited to attend the Vigil Service 7PM at DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday 10AM at St. Cecilia Church, (17th Ave. & Vicente St.,) San Francisco. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association. Please log on to www.duggansserra.com to sign the guestbook.
Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jul. 25, 2010.
