Anthony Daniel “Tony” Santolino, 44, of LaPorte, died Oct. 21, 2014, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, IN.
He was born Nov. 7, 1969, in Gary, IN, to James and Judith (Cardinale) Santolino.
In 1977 the Santolino family moved to LaPorte and Tony graduated from St. Joseph Catholic Grade School. He attended LaPorte High School where when he was a freshman, he was the kicker for the varsity football team. He also was on the wrestling team. He formed a rock band called “Merkury” in high school with three friends. They all left with his older brother, Jim, who drove them to Hollywood, CA, where Tony earned top awards and a voice degree from Musicians Institute in 1988. In the 1990s Tony had a second band, “Broken n Bent,” with four friends, one being his cousin, Nick Cardinale. A third band with three friends came later, “The Mojo Theory.” In 2006 he recorded a CD, “The Tail of Rock and Roll,” with 17 songs. Once he returned to LaPorte he had various jobs and worked also for his brother Dan at Daniel’s Professional Carpet Cleaning. He earned his GED on Dec. 16, 1998.
Tony loved music and stayed a songwriter, singer and guitar player all his life, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Jim. He absolutely loved his once-upon-a-time 1991 Pontiac Trans Am white Firebird. He loved anything chocolate, especially chocolate cake, and also loved vanilla creamer in his coffee, religious items and Jesus and Mary. He was fond of praying the Hail Mary. He suffered from deep depression and great anxiety, which rolled up and down throughout his life, and he had been treated for it many times. He always told his mother, “I love you, Mom.” Anthony will be so very deeply missed by his devoted family and precious friends forevermore. Someday we will meet Anthony again between the planets and the sun. Please pray for him.
Surviving are his mother, Judy; brothers, James, Daniel and Vincent Santolino; sister, Amy Ledenbach; grandmother, Gladys Smith; and his fiancee, Amanda “Mandy” Armstrong and her son, Dylan Armstrong, who were both the loves of Tony’s life. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of wonderful, loyal friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, James, who died at age 44 in 1985; stillborn baby brother (Vincent’s twin); grandfather, Steve Cardinale; and grandparents, Joseph and Anna Santolino.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, LaPorte, with Father Eduardo officiating. Visitation will be at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Joseph Cemetery, LaPorte.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Tony’s fiancee and her son, Amanda and Dylan, c/o Judy Santolino, 1029 Indiana Ave., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.