Dr. Thomas Jasper Santoro

Thomas was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1941 to Jasper A. Santoro and Kathryn T. Subranni Santoro.  Thomas Santoro was the oldest of four brothers, including Carl Santoro, Joe Santoro and Kenny Santoro.  Tom’s wife of 33 years was MaryLouise Elizabeth Gerlach Santoro.  Together, they had two children, Jennifer and Michael, born 16 months apart.

From beginning to end, Tom led a truly unconventional life. As a dad, he gave his children a sense of adventure, as was his spirit.  One example is spending a month each year traveling by motorhome with his family. His favorite destination was always Walt Disney World.  There are many fond memories from these trips.  

Tom was a lifelong educator and entrepreneur.  After receiving his bachelor’s degree from West Chester University in Elementary Education, master’s degree from Temple in Educational Administration and doctorate in Educational Administration from Nova Southeastern University, he was an elementary school principal in Pennsylvania.  

After decades as a Principal, Tom followed one of his passions of RVing with his family and transitioned to Florida to found the first school that taught recreational vehicle repair in the country, Recreational Vehicle Service Academy.  

Tom also had a lifelong passion for fitness and firearms, which led to him opening a gym and a pistol range that he built with his bare hands.  He owned all these businesses until he fully retired in 2023. 

Tom had an abundance of hobbies and interests throughout his life, which included fishing with his son, boating with his family, building and restoring homes and cars, gardening, and so many more.  He was sure to live on his own terms in every sense of the word. 

Only those who knew him best could see through his "tough guy” persona that revealed his compassionate and caring side.  He had a strong love for family and was able to see his brothers and many nieces and nephews during the holidays before he passed.

Tom died at 7:15 am on Sunday, January 5th in Chandler, Arizona.  At the time of death, there was a beautiful sunrise in the sky welcoming him home.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; Jasper A. Santoro and Kathryn T. Subranni Santoro and brother Carl Santoro.   Tom leaves behind to carry his legacy his children; Jennifer Lynn Griffin and her husband Christopher and his son Michael Thomas Santoro and his wife Tracy Santoro, grandson Grayson Michael Santoro, as well as his two brothers; Joseph Santoro and Kenneth Santoro and many extended family members and friends.

Tom will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will live on in our hearts, and as long as we carry him with us, he will never truly be gone.