Obituary for Theodore DeSanti
On the evening of December 14, 2021, our father Theodore John DeSanti, 87 of Erie, PA passed away in the home he built, surrounded by his books and countless photographs of the family he adored. After just over three years, he finally joined his beloved wife, Donnamae Jean Wertz DeSanti for eternity. Ted or Teddy, as he was often referred to, was the son of the late Anthony DeSantis and Rose Dyjack. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Albert DeSantis and sister Viola Spinek.
Ted was born on May 5, 1934 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Academy High School where he was a celebrated athlete lettering in Football, Wrestling, Basketball and his beloved Baseball. He proudly served his country as a Supply Sargent in the United States Army before returning home to marry his sweetheart Donnamae on June 11, 1960. As they raised their family, Ted worked for 33 years as a Steelworker for Fenestra Corporation here in Erie. He spent his early retirement years driving first for Rupp's Auto Livery and then working for Kloecker's Funeral Home, which became a second family to him. However, Ted would have likely told you that his favorite job was volunteering at Perry School as part of the SERVES program.
Ted had a passion for working with young people and spent more than 60 years volunteering with and advocating for young athletes. He began as a Coach with Erie Boys Baseball, Bay City Softball, Our Lady of Peace and St. Mary’s Basketball and St. George Baseball. He was also an Assistant High School Baseball Coach for many years under his son, Ted at Academy, Mercyhurst and Central. One of his lasting contributions was his service as President of the Academy High School Sports Boosters for more than 12 years from 1980 to 1992 where he worked to support coaches and athletes from his alma mater. One of his greatest joys was meeting up with a former player and still being referred to as "Coach".
Ted was an avid sport enthusiast and a die hard Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan. He loved Indiana basketball and Army football, but his favorite team was whatever one his children or grandchildren were playing on. In the backseat of his car you could often find a McDowell, Cathedral Prep or Harborcreek hat all sitting next to one another. Once a coach, always a coach and Ted saved his best advice for his grandchildren. Whether baseball or hockey, lacrosse, soccer or basketball, Grandpa never missed a game. He was their number one fan and the first person they sought out after the game for accolades or advice. While baseball was written on his heart, even a homerun had a hard time competing with the sight of his grandaughters dancing and for more than 20 years, he never missed a recital or performance. At the end of the day, there was not an event too big or too small that he was not there, in the stands or on the sidelines, in the audience or on the fence in left field cheering on his kids, his grandkids or their friends that considered him their Grandpa as well. He was simply devoted to his family and so proud of each and every one of them.
Ted's passing leaves behind the family he cherished; three children Dawn Baltes and her husband Thomas, Theodore A. DeSanti and his wife Susan (Loader) and Tricia DeSanti-Boehm and her husband Geoffrey, his eight grandchildren Danielle White (Stephen White), Meagan Murphy (Ryan Murphy), Theodore J. DeSanti, III, Joseph Baltes, Alissa DeSanti, Brandon Boehm and Kennedy Boehm, his two great grandchildren Jackson White and Hadley White and the future great grandchild he was waiting patiently for, Baby Murphy.
Friends may call on Sunday at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc from 1 pm until 6 pm and are invited to a service there on Monday at 10:15 am followed by the Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 11 am. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com
Burial, with full military honors, will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Ted was born on May 5, 1934 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Academy High School where he was a celebrated athlete lettering in Football, Wrestling, Basketball and his beloved Baseball. He proudly served his country as a Supply Sargent in the United States Army before returning home to marry his sweetheart Donnamae on June 11, 1960. As they raised their family, Ted worked for 33 years as a Steelworker for Fenestra Corporation here in Erie. He spent his early retirement years driving first for Rupp's Auto Livery and then working for Kloecker's Funeral Home, which became a second family to him. However, Ted would have likely told you that his favorite job was volunteering at Perry School as part of the SERVES program.
Ted had a passion for working with young people and spent more than 60 years volunteering with and advocating for young athletes. He began as a Coach with Erie Boys Baseball, Bay City Softball, Our Lady of Peace and St. Mary’s Basketball and St. George Baseball. He was also an Assistant High School Baseball Coach for many years under his son, Ted at Academy, Mercyhurst and Central. One of his lasting contributions was his service as President of the Academy High School Sports Boosters for more than 12 years from 1980 to 1992 where he worked to support coaches and athletes from his alma mater. One of his greatest joys was meeting up with a former player and still being referred to as "Coach".
Ted was an avid sport enthusiast and a die hard Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan. He loved Indiana basketball and Army football, but his favorite team was whatever one his children or grandchildren were playing on. In the backseat of his car you could often find a McDowell, Cathedral Prep or Harborcreek hat all sitting next to one another. Once a coach, always a coach and Ted saved his best advice for his grandchildren. Whether baseball or hockey, lacrosse, soccer or basketball, Grandpa never missed a game. He was their number one fan and the first person they sought out after the game for accolades or advice. While baseball was written on his heart, even a homerun had a hard time competing with the sight of his grandaughters dancing and for more than 20 years, he never missed a recital or performance. At the end of the day, there was not an event too big or too small that he was not there, in the stands or on the sidelines, in the audience or on the fence in left field cheering on his kids, his grandkids or their friends that considered him their Grandpa as well. He was simply devoted to his family and so proud of each and every one of them.
Ted's passing leaves behind the family he cherished; three children Dawn Baltes and her husband Thomas, Theodore A. DeSanti and his wife Susan (Loader) and Tricia DeSanti-Boehm and her husband Geoffrey, his eight grandchildren Danielle White (Stephen White), Meagan Murphy (Ryan Murphy), Theodore J. DeSanti, III, Joseph Baltes, Alissa DeSanti, Brandon Boehm and Kennedy Boehm, his two great grandchildren Jackson White and Hadley White and the future great grandchild he was waiting patiently for, Baby Murphy.
Friends may call on Sunday at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc from 1 pm until 6 pm and are invited to a service there on Monday at 10:15 am followed by the Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 11 am. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com
Burial, with full military honors, will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery.