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Santo Santoro

Santo Santoro, 69, of Follansbee, West Virginia, peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 5:50 p.m. while at home with his family by his side. Santo fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer for the last two years.

Santo was born on September 20, 1948 in Savelli, Italy to the late Frank and Adelina (Fabiano) Santoro.

Santo graduated from Follansbee High School in 1968. He served in the United States Army and retired in 1971 as a Sergeant (E-5). He went on to work at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel for 24 years. During his time there, Santo was elected Shop Steward, all Shops Steward, was appointed Company Safety Chairman of the Mingo Plant, Grievance Committeeman and the President of Local 1190. As President of the Union, he represented 3,000 members. He worked on safety and health issues with the OSHA, Insurance problems and Compensation in both Ohio and West Virginia and he worked on the Drug and Alcohol Committee. In addition to his work for the employees, he was involved in all of the Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Contract Negotiations from 1979 until 2018 and assisted on two of the company’s bankruptcies. Santo served on the Board of Directors of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Credit Union and the Stand Up for Steel Committee. In addition to his work at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel and the Union, he became Staff Representative in 1993 for United Steelworks, District 23 representing 14 different companies ranging from steel, titanium, miscellaneous manufacturing and nursing home facilities. In May 2007, Santo was promoted to Key Staff Representative in USW District 1.

Santo has served on the Brooke County Solid Waste Board, T.R.E.A. (The Retired Enlisted Association), American Legion, West Virginia Steel Advisory Board (2003-2017) and was a Board Member and Officer of “Kids Chance” West Virginia. He served on numerous political organizations on the local, state and federal level. He also volunteered as a Blue Wave Football Coach for over 20 years and helped organize and coach with many other Follansbee greats at the Follansbee Basketball program. He was also involved in numerous Relay for Life events.

Santo has been honored for his work with the Columbus Achievement Award from the Columbus Club of Jefferson County and the City of Follansbee Community Days honored him for his commitment and dedication to labor. He was recently given a proclamation from United States Senator Joe Manchin.

Many will remember Santo as a man who was so dedicated to his career, his compassion for members of the union and especially his drive to serve others in the communities of West Virginia and Ohio. Those who knew him best will remember how much he enjoyed going on family vacations, hunting and fishing with his son, grandson, brothers and nephews. Santo also enjoyed a good poker night with his buddies.

In addition to his parents, Santo was preceded in death by his sister, Lina (Santoro) Veltri.

Aside from all of these accomplishments, he is most proud of his family and friends who he loved and cherished every day. Santo is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Kathy (Householder) Santoro of Follansbee, WV; two accomplished children, Dr. Kimberly Miller and her husband David of Wheeling, WV and Kevin Santoro and his wife Sarah of Weirton, WV; five cherished grandchildren, Kayley, Kamryn and Karringtyn Miller and Sophia and Santo Santoro; two brothers, Joe (Lina) Santoro of Follansbee, WV and Tony (Debbie) Santoro of Mingo Junction, Ohio, four sisters, Candida (Giusseppe) Caruso and Maria (Larry) Hauk of Follansbee, WV and Filamena (the late Frank) Dicarlantonio and Theresa (Guy) Lamantia of Steubenville, Ohio; his brother-in-law, A. Kent (Darla) Householder of Weirton, WV; Godchildren, Frank Santoro of Cranberry Twp., PA and Kacey DiGiacinto of Virginia Beach, VA; best friends, Paul and Donna DiGiacinto of Follansbee, WV as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family and Friends will be received on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 from 1:00 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the James Funeral Home, Follansbee, West Virginia (304)527-1717.

The Funeral Service will be held on August 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Impact Church, 300 School Street, Weirton, West Virginia with a gathering of family and friends at 10:30 a.m., where Pastor Kendon Alexander and Santo’s nephew Justin Santoro will conduct the service.

Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Follansbee, West Virginia with Military Honors by the West Virginia Army National Guard and Honor Line by Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad.

In lieu of flowers, family suggest memorial contribution be made to the Hillman Cancer Center – Pancreatic Cancer, C/o James Funeral Home, 1245 Main Street, Follansbee, WV 26037

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