Santo Richard Reda 1945-2025

Born Dec. 16, 1945, in Youngstown, he was the son of the late Santo Reda and Carmella DiMario Reda, and was a lifelong area resident.

Santo was a 1964 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Shortly after graduation, he worked as an apprentice with US Steel-Ohio Works, from 1964 to 1972, but was drafted to the United States Army from 1965 to 1967, where he served two years with the Military Intelligence-Order of Battle Analyst team in Vietnam.

Upon his return home, he married his beloved wife, his soul and inspiration, Ann Ruth Kulik Reda, on March 7, 1969.

In July 1972, he accepted a position at the General Motors Fabrication Plant in Lordstown as a pipefitter and was also a member of the fire brigade. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Local 1714. His strength, dedication and unwavering spirits were all hallmarks of his character — both in service and his daily life.

He found an overwhelming sense of joy in working on cars and woodworking. In 1991, he purchased his prized 1955 Chevrolet 210, which started as a bucket of bolts and later became his teal and pearl white “One Summer Night.” She was outfitted with a 350 small-block Chevy engine, which at one time had “the six deuces,” that Ruthie adored. They paraded the car all over the state together for various car shows — and have hundreds of trophies to prove it. He was one of the founders of Youngstown’s very own, Valley Cruzers, who met on Saturday nights. Santo’s enthusiasm for automobiles, especially his own, was immeasurable. The one thing he enjoyed more than “putzing around in the garage” was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Santo is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ann Kulik Reda; his loving children, Michelle (Robert) Berarducci and Brian (Danielle Kirkwood) Reda; grandson, Robert (Sydney Ferguson) Berarducci; granddaughter, Chloe Berarducci; sisters in-law, Margaret Kulik Kale and Andrea Kulik (Nicholas) Hrycyk; and many nieces and nephews.

Santo was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mary (Joe) Jamrozik and Clara (Donald) Thomas; his brothers, Anthony (Mary Lou) Reda and Reno (Betty Lou) Reda; brother and sister in-law, Robert and Judith Kulik Davis; brother in-law, David Kale; and nephews, Donald Thomas and Reno “Jay” Reda.

Santo’s legacy of love, devotion, and passion for life will live on in the hearts of his family and all who had the pleasure of loving him, and his memory will live on for generations.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Family and friends may also gather to pay respects from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the funeral home, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Austintown.

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