Frank Santelli

Frank "Papa" Santelli of Ulster Park died Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Golden Hill Health Care Facility. He was 95. He was born in Cerisano, Province of Cosenze, Calabria, Italy on November 5, 1913, a son of the late Salvatore and Maria Santelli. Mr. Santelli immigrated to this country in 1928 and settled in New Jersey. He then moved to New York City where he worked as a tailor for 40 years. For many years he worked as a pattern-maker and a machine operator in the New York City garment district. He belonged to the Garment Workers Union, UNITE, Local 022. A part-time resident of Mt. Marion since 1964, Mr. Santelli moved to this area in the early 1990's. A member of the National and local AARP, he belonged to the Town of Esopus Senior Citizens and the Kingston Maennerchor & Damenchor. His wife, Rosetta Bavaro Santelli died October 29, 1989; one son Anthony Santelli died January 21, 1993. One brother Peter Santelli and one sister Luigina Greco both died previously. Surviving are one son Salvatore Santelli and his wife Theresa Correra of Homestead, FL; three grandchildren Damon Santelli, Debra Delson and Sara Santelli; one sister Carmelina Parisi of Boynton Beach, FL, his beloved companion, Joan Avery of Ulster Park. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Reposing at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave., Kingston on Tuesday from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM. A funeral procession will form on Wednesday at 11:15 AM at the funeral home and process to the Salvation Army for a 12:00 PM funeral service. Interment will follow in Blue Mountain Cemetery, Saugerties. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Golden Hill Health Care Activities Fund, 99 Golden Hill Drive, Kingston, NY 12401 or the Salvation Army, 35 Cedar St., Kingston, NY 12401.