South San Francisco, CA August 11, 2016
Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Santini
Rudolph (Rudy) Domenic Santini
Our hearts are broken with the loss of our patriarch, Rudolph (Rudy) Domenic Santini. He was born on October 25, 1922, the first child of Pasquale and Adele, in the blue collar town of South San Francisco, California. His beloved sister Rosalind was born 11 years later. This immigrant family grew to become one of the most prominent and beloved families in the town.At the age of 20 Rudy enlisted in the Army Air Force to serve his country and pursue his lifelong passion for flying. He flew 37 missions in France & Germany during WW II.
When the war ended, he returned to marry his sweetheart, Barbara Martini, and joined the family clothing business. Together they shared 60 years of marriage. Countless times at the family dinner table, Rudy would say as we all raised our glasses, “I know no better people!”
In 1977, he and Barbara purchased an old “Tahoe cabin” on the west side of the lake, fulfilling a promise he’d made to himself when he was a teenager to have a vacation home for his family. The cabin would consume their creative energy, and through years of improvements, it became a cozy and welcoming place for family and friends.
Rudy Santini was the “real deal”: war hero, successful businessman, a faithful husband, loving father, kind to all.
He is survived by 4 children, Shellie (Robert) Urmini, Bob (Claudia) Santini, Sharon Tallon, and Suzanne (Jerry) Selvitella; and 6 grandchildren, Domenic, Genna, Camille, Caitlin, Tony, and Dante. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, and a granddaughter, Dia.
His burial is private. We invite friends and family to a celebration of his life on Saturday August 13, 2016 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Avenue, South San Francisco.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on Aug. 11, 2016 – To view the original obituary allowing comments for the family please CLICK HERE