November
26,
1924
26,
1924
January
19,
2015
19,
2015
Santo C. "Sandy" Chimento, 90, of Canonsburg passed away on Monday, January 19, 2015 in Canonsburg Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Alia, Sicily on November 26, 1924, a son of the late Salvatore and Mary Sagona Chimento.
He had been a resident of Canonsburg for most of his life and was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish. He served for many years as a Board Member for the Mental Health Association of Washington County. Santo was also known as the "Bridge Man" for the Henry Bridge at the Covered Bridge Festival where he volunteered regularly. He was a retired Draftsman with the former McGraw-Edison and Cooper Industries in Canonsburg, retiring in 1986. A music lover, Santo was a bass player with the Lee Barrett Orchestra and for Bobby and Stan Vinton. He loved big band and swing music. He also enjoyed fishing and traveling to Buffalo, New York to visit family and friends.
Santo proudly served his country with the United States Army during World War II from 1943-1945 in France and Italy. During that time he had been a Prisoner of War for eight months and was held in German prisons and work camps. He received a Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the WWII Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. In 2008 Santo received the French Legion of Honor, which is France's highest award.
In 1977 he married Norma Jean Rocco, who survives.
Also surviving are his two beloved children, Deborah A. (David Rusnak) Chimento Rusnak of Bethel Park and Charles Chimento of Bentleyville; a sister, Anne Portale of Charleston, SC; a sister-in-law, Connie Chimento of Buffalo, NY; two step-children, Joni Rocco Turner of Canonsburg and Michael Rocco of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Spina Chimento who passed away in 1973; a brother, Joseph Chimento; and a brother-in-law, Samuel Portale.
Friends are welcome from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Thursday, January 22, 2015 in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra Owner/Supervisor, Lin Webb Funeral Director, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where departing prayers will begin at 9:30 AM on Friday, January 23, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg with Rev. Thomas Gillespie as Celebrant. Interment, with full military honors rendered by the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 191, will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Canonsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org.
He was born in Alia, Sicily on November 26, 1924, a son of the late Salvatore and Mary Sagona Chimento.
He had been a resident of Canonsburg for most of his life and was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish. He served for many years as a Board Member for the Mental Health Association of Washington County. Santo was also known as the "Bridge Man" for the Henry Bridge at the Covered Bridge Festival where he volunteered regularly. He was a retired Draftsman with the former McGraw-Edison and Cooper Industries in Canonsburg, retiring in 1986. A music lover, Santo was a bass player with the Lee Barrett Orchestra and for Bobby and Stan Vinton. He loved big band and swing music. He also enjoyed fishing and traveling to Buffalo, New York to visit family and friends.
Santo proudly served his country with the United States Army during World War II from 1943-1945 in France and Italy. During that time he had been a Prisoner of War for eight months and was held in German prisons and work camps. He received a Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the WWII Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. In 2008 Santo received the French Legion of Honor, which is France's highest award.
In 1977 he married Norma Jean Rocco, who survives.
Also surviving are his two beloved children, Deborah A. (David Rusnak) Chimento Rusnak of Bethel Park and Charles Chimento of Bentleyville; a sister, Anne Portale of Charleston, SC; a sister-in-law, Connie Chimento of Buffalo, NY; two step-children, Joni Rocco Turner of Canonsburg and Michael Rocco of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Spina Chimento who passed away in 1973; a brother, Joseph Chimento; and a brother-in-law, Samuel Portale.
Friends are welcome from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Thursday, January 22, 2015 in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra Owner/Supervisor, Lin Webb Funeral Director, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where departing prayers will begin at 9:30 AM on Friday, January 23, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg with Rev. Thomas Gillespie as Celebrant. Interment, with full military honors rendered by the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 191, will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Canonsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Santo C. "Sandy" Chimento, please visit our flower store.