NATICK: Louis F. Santoro, age 89, a longtime Natick resident and retired Pepsi-Cola executive, died early Monday morning, January 27, 2014, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston after a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Mary I. (Sullivan) Santoro for 67 years.
Born in Dorchester, he was a son of the late Jerome Charles and Frances (Capone) Santoro. Lou was raised in Waban, and enlisted in the Army directly from the Newton Schools. He was engaged in the Campaign for New Guinea, had fought in the Battle of Luzon, and earned a battle star at the Liberation of the Philippines.
Lou returned to Newton and established his own candy vending business. He and Mary married on November 5, 1946, and the couple made their home in Wellesley prior to settling in Natick in 1963. Lou joined Pepsi-Cola as a vending mechanic in 1951. Holding many management positions during his career, he was well respected by his colleagues and was known by many as “Mr. Pepsi.” Also serving on the Massachusetts Soft Drink Association Board of Directors, Lou’s diligence was rewarded when he was promoted to Vice President on Premise Operations for Pepsi-Cola East. After 40 years of loyal service to Pepsi-Cola he retired in 1991.
Mary and Lou vacationed with their family in Maine for many years, and they enjoyed travelling together, whether she was joining him on a business trip or they were off on a tour or private getaway. He was a great sports fan and his love of many styles of music is well known by family and friends. A member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1425, Lou was happiest with Mary surrounded by their large loving family.
He is survived by Mary; their children, Nancy A. Santoro McDonald and husband James of Natick, Marylou Lewis and husband George of Wilmington, Louis F. Santoro, Jr. of S. Portland, ME, Janet Santoro Soldicich and husband Michael of Natick, and Jerome Santoro and wife Sharon of Natick; ten grandchildren, William Gassett, Korey Gassett Avila, Jimmy and Sean McDonald, Michele Ricard, Janine, Jill, and Julie Soldicich, and Anthony and Samantha Santoro; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler, Owen, Lily, Domenic, Aidan, Mary, Isabel, Teagan, and Layla; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Charles and Albert Santoro, Josephine DeMichele, Rose Piccariello, and Eleanor Reardon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Good Shepherd Parish in Saint Zepherin Church, 99 Main Street, Wayland, on Saturday, February 1st at 10:00a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Saint Zepherin Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, Friday 4 – 7p.m. Donations may be made in Lou’s memory to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215.