Antonio De Santis

Antonio De Santis, 48, of Staten Island, New York, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 6th, 2022, in Staten Island, New York.

Antonio was born on August 2nd, 1973, in Calabria, Italy, the son of beloved mother Immacolata Racco and father, Pietro De Santis.  Born with Down’s Syndrome, Antonio was the youngest of nine children.  Antonio contributed greatly to the richness of our family life and everyone he encountered.  He had a special smile, a heart of gold, and it would be Antonio to teach all of us the true meaning of love and compassion for one another.  Antonio’s love and affection were unbiased and pure.  He was a gentle, extremely neat, funny, clever, and amazing man who lived a full, happy life, but unfortunately, very short.  Antonio loved to sing his favorite song, “Azzurro,” and we always gave him the joy to sing it at parties and made him feel special and loved.  Even with his challenges and disabilities, we always strived to make Antonio live to the fullest.  We would let Antonio experience everything that we could to make him feel the same as all of us, whether test driving a car or boat, going to work regularly, and even having a girlfriend so that one day he would marry.

Antonio is survived by his brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law: Rocco and Stella De Santis; Maria and Antonio Vetere; Giulia and Gennaro Macri; Rosetta and Clementino Cabonargi; Natalina and Antonio Sorrentino; Romolo and Sandra De Santis; Philip and Jennifer De Santis; Dominick and Marilena De Santis; Domenica De Santis; Francesco & Pupa De Santis; Salvatore and Lina De Santis; and Rosario and Anna De Santis; uncle and aunt Giulia, Domenico, Franco, and Rosa; and his many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Calling hours for family and friends will be Sunday, January 9th, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at Bedell Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY.  A funeral mass will be held Monday, January 10th, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Help of Christians.

Rest in Peace, Tonino, with Mom and Dad.