Joe J. Santoro

Joe J. Santoro, age 73, died Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at his home in Highland, Illinois. Joe was born on Monday, April 14, 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the son of Dominick and Rosalie (nee Caravella) Santoro. His education included graduating from Ensley High School in Birmingham and The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with a structural engineering degree. Joe started his work life at a young age, with a paper route. This along with playing drums in a local band (called the SenSaShuns) helped put him through college. His engineering career started at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1970. After leaving Pratt & Wittney he spent a year in Birmingham, Alabama working for Hayes Aircraft Corporation. After leaving Hayes he started Santoro Associates Incorporated and worked as a contract engineer. This career path took him all over the country, fixing failures on airplanes and conducting nuclear analysis. He was well respected in his field. Joe's favorite hobby was collecting and working on classic cars. Over his lifetime he owned over sixty vehicles, including motor homes, motorcycles, trucks, and cars. One of his favorite cars was a 1956 Ford Thunderbird that he owned for 50 years. This is the car that Joe and his wife, Dorothy, drove on their wedding day and honeymoon. On Saturday, October 16, 1971, Joe married Dorothy E. Smith in Birmingham, Alabama. During their life together they adopted two children, Frank and Jodi. Joe made his family his number one priority and was a loving son, brother, uncle, friend, husband, father, and grandfather. His four grandchildren called him Papa, and he adored them as much as they adored him. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Survivors include: Wife - Dorothy S. Santoro, nee Smith, Highland, IL Son - Frank J. (Susan) Santoro, Charlotte, NC Daughter - Jodi L. Headrick, nee Santoro, (Christopher Koch) Highland, IL Grandchild - Jalyn E. Headrick, Highland, IL Grandchild - Delaney J. Santoro, Charlotte, NC Grandchild - Connor J. Santoro, Charlotte, NC Grandchild - Jameson J. Headrick, Highland, IL Sister - Carolyn (James) Levio, Helena, AL Brother - Mike (Catherine) Santoro, Panama City, FL Brother - Nick (Sherry) Santoro, Birmingham, AL Brother - Johnny (Patricia) Santoro, Birmingham, AL He was preceded in death by: Father - Dominick J. Santoro Mother - Rosalie C. Santoro, nee Caravella Private Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association; American Cancer Society; American Diabetes Association; National Hemophilia Foundation; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Joe J. Santoro

April 14, 1947 - May 19, 2020