Anthony M. Santisi 1960-2025

Anthony was the youngest of four and spent his life working and managing the family business, which through the years took many forms — Sparkle Markets, Apples Supermarkets, Phoenix Supermarkets and finally, Santisi’s IGA. These businesses were a staple to communities across the Trumbull and Mahoning Valley, as well as Hermitage, Pa.

His brother John referred to him as the Swiss Army knife of the business — well rounded, meticulous and steadfast in his devotion to the company his family built.

Anthony loved life. He loved people, all people, and was happy to sit and talk, and tell stories to anyone who would listen. He was kind and generous to a fault. He loved to play pool, which he did until his final days. He was so excited about winning his last match.

Above all these things in his life, he loved his family most.

Anthony was so proud of his brothers and looked up to them so much. They could do no wrong in his eyes. He would always talk about how great they were at everything, John so wise and Sam so strong.

His sister Mary was his best friend. He would tell stories of the mischief they would get into together. They talked every day, and he would always say, “She worries about me.”

His love for them was so profound.

Most of all, he loved his daughters. We felt it in every sense of his being. One phone call away from whatever we needed, and he would jump. The calm to our storm, the voice of reason. Every day was a blessing to him. He would always tell us, “every day I wake up I’m happy to be here.” It showed, always so excited to answer that phone call, always smiling when he walked through the door. You could just feel the sense of joy he had when we needed him. The immense gratitude he had to be with us and our children. He truly enjoyed every minute of it. We will miss him tremendously.

In his last season of life, the name he was most proud of was “Papa.” His brothers and sisters loved to tell stories about how he was so good at everything and knew how to fix all things. Let me assure you that of all the things he accomplished in life, this was what he was truly the best at. Thriving in his role as Papa. He was adored by his grandchildren, and they adored him. He gave the best bear hugs and would fix all the toys they would break at “Papa’s workshop.” It was and will be our most favorite time with him.

Anthony was larger than life in every sense of the meaning. We will always wish we had more time together and will miss him enormously, but we know he would want us to wake up every day and be grateful to be here and to be with each other. Forever blessed with the time we had.

Family was everything to him. His zest for life will live through us and through his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony “Tony” and his mother, Carmella, whom he missed so much.

He is survived by his daughters, Jaclyn (Gary) Gerba, Christina Santisi and Ann Marie Molla; his grandchildren, Gabriella and Amara (Jaclyn),Nico (Christina), and Rocco and Isabella (Ann Marie); brothers, John (Georgia Macris) Santisi and Sam (Donna) Santisi; and sister, Mary (Eric) Ebeling.

Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at Blackstone Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at St. Rose Church.

Anthony will be laid to rest in Girard City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation at eaglesautismfoundation.org.

Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.blackstonefuneralhome.com.

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