Giuseppe "Joe" De Santo

Giuseppe “Joe” De Santo, 92, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on September 25, 2026, with his wife, Angela, by his side.

Joe was born on January 6, 1934, in Caraffa di Catanzaro, Italy, to Francesco De Santo and Ascenzione Elisabetta Sciumbata. He grew up in Italy and throughout his life loved sharing stories about those younger years, keeping the memories of his hometown, childhood and Italian heritage alive for his family.

In 1962, at the age of 28, Joe came to the United States and settled in Perth Amboy, NJ. At the time, he and Angela had one young daughter and Joe became determined to build a new life for his family. Through hard work, determination and independence, he created that life in America, where their family would continue to grow.

Joe spent his career as a truck driver and owner-operator, proudly owning his own truck. His years on the road gave him an incredible sense of direction. Family members remember that Joe always seemed to know how to get anywhere and they could count on him whenever they needed help finding their way. His years behind the wheel also became another chapter of stories he loved to share.

Joe was a hardworking, independent and deeply family-oriented man whose quiet strength and steady presence defined him. Patient, humble and down to earth, he listened with the same care and thoughtfulness with which he spoke. He was kind by nature, devoted to those he loved and happiest when surrounded by family. Those who knew him remember his sweetness, his stories and the calm, unassuming way he moved through life.

Above all else, Joe loved his family. He especially enjoyed being part of Angela’s large extended family and cherished the time spent with her brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives over the years. Family gatherings and simply being together were an important part of his life. He enjoyed playing bocce and cards. He also carried on traditions from home, including making his own wine in the family garage.

Traveling and vacationing with his family made him happy. Over the years, he returned to Italy to visit relatives and tour the country. His travels also included Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, Hawaii and many states throughout the United States.

Joe enjoyed keeping up with the world and read the newspaper every day. He had a longtime interest in history, particularly books about wars, and he enjoyed listening to opera.

A devoted Roman Catholic, Joe was a longtime member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and his faith remained an important part of his life.

Joe will be remembered as a storyteller whose memories of growing up in Italy, his years behind the wheel, the places he traveled and the life he built in America became part of his family’s story as well. The traditions, lessons and memories he leaves behind will continue through the generations who knew and loved him.

His family will miss not only the stories he told, but the man behind them: a devoted husband, father and Nonno whose quiet strength, sweetness and love of family left a lasting impression on those who knew him.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was lovingly known as “Nonno.” He never missed an opportunity to spend time with his great-grandchildren and treasured every chance he had to be with them.

Joe shared 66 years of marriage with his wife, Angela De Santo (Verre). Together they built a life and family that meant everything to him.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Angela; his brother, Pasquale De Santo; his daughters, Elizabeth Kantowski and her husband Mark and Mary Lou De Santo and her husband Giancarlo; his grandchildren, Sara Hannan (Pat), Jeremy Gebo (Symone) and Angela Jones (Mike); and his four great-grandsons, Jesse, Isaac, Joseph and Angelo.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a committal service from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Phoenix Memorial Park.