Santucci, Henry went home to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 11, 2018. He passed away at the Veterans Administration Healthcare System Heinz Campus in Aspinwall. Henry was born to Italian immigrants September 5, 1921 in Export PA.
In addition to his parents, Anthony and Louise Santucci, he is predeceased by his wife Mary and son Michael, two brothers and one sister. A veteran of WWII, Henry served in the Army Air Corps, 8th Army and was stationed in England where he met his wife of 72 years. He loaded the bombs onto the planes that flew over Germany which dropped them over the German armories.
Henry was a devout and dedicated Catholic all of his life and he would always be sure to remind the bomber not to hurt any innocent people. He talked emotionally during his last days of the heartbreak of the Holocaust and felt pride in the fact that he did his part to stop the Nazi regime. After the war, Henry reunited with his British war bride at New York harbor where she arrived on the Queen Mary.
They settled in Pittsburgh and he used the GI bill to become a jeweler/watch repairman and also went to gunsmith school. He was a security guard at Forbes Field and he held as many jobs as he could possibly find to support his family until he was hired by the City of Pittsburgh. He retired from the City in 1985 after many years as truck driver for Phipps Conservatory.
He was so well liked by so many because of his kindness and goodness and he loved to tell the stories of delivering flowers to the mayor’s office, particularly Mayor Richard Caliguiri. The mayor liked to hear his war stories and when he would arrive back at Phipps, the guys would refer to him as “the untouchable” since he seemed to be the only one who could spend an hour having a cup of coffee with the Mayor. It was all in good fun, Henry dedicated his life praying the rosasy because he had a fervent love for Mary, the Mother of God.
Henry is survived by his children Mary Lou Volkman, Diane (Nick) Sturm, Chris (Janet) Santucci. He is also survived by his grandchildren Karen (Vince)Critelli, John (Jennifer) Tamburro, Danny (Kimberly) Tamburro, Joseph Sturm, Lauren(Eric) Sharp, Christopher(Brianna) Santucci. He is survived by great grandchildren Vincent Critellii, Alyssa Critelli, Daniel Tamburro, Michael Tamburro, Raegan Sharp, and one great- great grandchild Cameron Critelli.
He is also survived by his sister Edna Watkins of Michigan. Henry was a parishioner at Saint Rosalia Church in Greenfield. One of the last songs he sang while in the hospice facility was “When the Lights Come on Again All over the world”.
It was what the troops would sing to build morale and keep them going, His life was a perfect example of faith in God and his belief was always that there is more good in this world than bad and that during the worst times “the lights would come on again”. We his children are prouder than words can express that our beautiful father with his kind and good heart was part of “The Greatest Generation” who saved the world. Friends will be received Friday 2-4, and 6-8 p.m. in the Edward P. Kanai Funeral Home, 500 Greenfield Ave.
Funeral Saturday at 11:30a.m. Followed by Funeral Mass at 12 Noon in the St. Rosalia Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Veterans Administration in Henry’s name would be appreciated. VA Healthcare System Voluntary Service (118V-A) 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215.
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