John J Santarsiero

John J. Santarsiero died peacefully March 24 in his Forked River home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 101.

A veteran of World War II who dedicated his career to civil engineering and aviation, Mr. Santarsiero was a beloved husband, father and grandfather who touched many lives with  his boundless energy and friendly manner.

Mr. Santarsiero was born in 1923 in Trenton to Guiseppe and Jennie (Bocchichio) Santarsiero, He graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1941 and, in 1942, he successfully completed coursework for airplane mechanics at the United States Army Air Force Technical School. He served in World War II from 1942 to 1945 and was an airplane mechanic stationed in Ghana, Africa.

Mr. Santarsiero and his wife of 76 years, Irene Pascucci Santarsiero, were married in 1949 in St. Joachim Church, now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, and together they raised two children.

In 1963, Mr. Santarsiero graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia, going on to work as a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor first for Mercer County and then the NJ Department of Transportation.  He was later employed by the NJ Department of Aviation Planning, Trenton-Mercer Airport, from which he retired in 1984.

His community involvement included service as zoning officer in Washington Township, where he was also a member of the Lions Club.  He also served as a Boy Scout Leader in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square. In retirement, he resided in Florida for 20 years, returning to New Jersey in 2011 to live in Forked River, where he was a member of St. Pius X Parish.

Mr. Santarsiero was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Nicholas Santarsiero. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children, son, Jack (and his wife, Jacqueline) of Mount Laurel, and daughter, Marianne Hartman of Forked River; five grandchildren, Joseph and Patrick Hartman, and Jillian, Nicole and Janelle Santarsiero, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held April 4 beginning with visitation from 8 to 9 a.m. in Layton’s Home for Funerals, 250 West Lacey Rd., Forked River. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30 a.m. in St. Pius X Church, 300 Lacey Rd., Forked River. Burial will be in Brigadier General William Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, North Hanover Township.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made the Wounded Warrior Project-www.woundedwarriorproject.org; please see link below.

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