Obituary of Henry Santulli

Henry "Hank" T. Santulli Born March 20, 1941 in Newark, New York; died March 11, 2011 in Gainesville, Florida. Hank graduated from Notre Dame High School Elmira, NY, and enrolled at Niagara University. It was there Hank met his wife of nearly 47 years, Patricia Casale Santulli. He played basketball at Niagara and enjoyed road trips as a Purple Eagle. He majored in history and when he received his BA, he immediately enrolled in graduate school at Niagara University and received a MS in Guidance and Counseling. He later completed his education, receiving a post graduate degree in Educational Administration. He began his teaching career at Bishop Duffy High School while he finished up graduate school. His wife, Pat, taught at Grand Island High School, outside of Niagara Falls. Fate ended up taking Hank on another path. His college roommate landed them both a job at East Syracuse Minoa High School in 1966. He became a guidance counselor, later the Director of Guidance, and finally, the Principal and Director of Secondary Education. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation, Syracuse, NY; past president of the Central New York Directors of Guidance Counselors Organization; retired member of the National Secondary School Administrators Association; and retired member of the New York State Teachers' Association. Until Hank's recent illness kept him of the golf course, Hank enjoyed retirement by spending a great deal of time on the golf course. He became a 21st Century digital fan over the past few years by enjoying his iPhone, & iPad, which he used to read books, newspapers, and following his favorite sports teams, the New York Yankees, Notre Dame Football, and Syracuse University Basketball. In 1984, he had to begin kidney dialysis because his kidneys had failed; for Hank struggled against the genetic disease, Polycystic Kidney Disease. (Hank's father died earlier for the same diagnosis.) Hank remained on dialysis for four years, while maintaining his full time position as high school principal at East Syracuse-Minoa. In 1986, shortly after learning that his daughter had also inherited the disease, he was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant. Missing only a few weeks of school, he returned to school and became actively involved in the Central New York Kidney Foundation, acting as President and serving on the Board of Directors. 31 years later, they both retired from the school district and moved to golf course living at Ford's Colony, Williamsburg, VA. Two years into his retirement, the kidney he received in 1986 failed and he was once again forced to the routine of dialysis four hours a day, three days per week. Hank's health began to fail and the prognosis wasn't good. The transplant list had a minimum of a four-year wait and it was a known fact Hank would not survive the wait. It was then an angel came into his life and offered him his third change of life. A dear friend offered him one of her kidneys and for the past 10 years, Hank gave thanks to his special angel and the gift of life she provided him. The last few years have not been easy on Hank. Over the past four years, he spent over 200 days in the hospital. On two occasions the family was called to the hospital because he was not expected to survive. But yet again, new angels came into his life. The Post Kidney Transplant team at Shands Hospital, along with a special Infectious Disease physician were determined Hank would live to enjoy his one and only granddaughter, Samantha. They never gave up on him and Julie's kidney remained strong and as determined as if Julie herself were next to him, encouraging him so that he would be able to continue enjoying life. Neighbors in Briar Meadow South stepped up over the past few years and provided physical and spiritual help. Prayer groups across many denominations made sure Hank would remain robust enough to enjoy his family. Cousins and friends from across the country, whom Hank and Pat had befriended, moved to The Villages to provide the needed hand holding during trying times. Lifelong circles of friends seemed to have found their way to The Villages. The Santulli Family may have been scarred by Polycystic Kidney Disease, and insidious disease that eventually destroys both kidneys, but the blessings that have emerged from family, friends, and even from someone, it appears, that was fated to become part of their life, far out-weighed any of the sorrow that could have destroyed their family. Hank's life has been blessed so many ways. Though Hank was preceded in death by his father, Henry Joseph Santulli; he is survived by his mother, Jeanette Minonno Santulli, who remains active in her hometown of Elmira, NY; his wife, Patricia Cansale Santulli of The Villages, FL; son, Mark Damon Santulli of Longwood, FL; daughter, Tracy Santulli (David) Ramano of Manlius, NY; granddaughter, Samantha Paige Romano; brother, Thomas Joseph (Patricia Duffy) Santulli of Chemung County, NY; brother-in-law, Anthony J. (Gail) Casale of Port Charlotte, FL. Memorial service was held Monday, March 14, 2011 11AM at HIERS-BAXLEY FUNERAL SERVICES, 352-753-8353. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Henry Santulli to: PKD Foundation, 8330 Ward Parkway # 510, Kansas City, MO 64114-2000, or online at http://www.pkdcure.org/tabid/1373/Default.aspx. Sentiments may be left online at www.heir-baxley.com.