Obituary: Paul Andrew Santa, 96, of Milford

MILFORD, CT - (From Cody-White Funeral Home) Paul Andrew Santa, 96, longtime resident of Milford, passed away on March 18, 2021.

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Andrew and Louise Santa on June 29, 1924. Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Barbara, their son Paul Michael Santa, and a sister Mary Lou Wojtowicz.

Paul is survived by his 3 children, David and his wife Patricia, Bob and wife Marie of Columbia, CT, and Judy and husband Chris Beatrice of Sonoma, CA. He was Granddad to Kara, Jennifer and her husband Mike Jaffe of Bolton, CT and Collin Beatrice; and Great Granddad to Mark and Danielle Jaffe.

Paul is also survived by his sister Roberta Lehotsky of Pittsburgh, PA and many wonderful nieces and nephews, as well as close family friends in Virginia.

Paul’s talent and passion for music began as a child playing the saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He enlisted in the Army and served his country in WWII, stationed in Newport News, VA where he was a member of the Army band and met the love of his life, Barbara.

They were married on October 16, 1945. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Boston, MA where Paul’s music career took him on the road with a Big Band Orchestra playing many famous clubs all over the country.

After a few years of life on the road, he attended Boston University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Paul and Barbara moved to Connecticut in 1953 where Paul began working at Sikorsky Aircraft as a flight inspector and did so for 35 years.

He continued to play music during this time as a member of a quartet, on Saturday nights at the VFW in Devon, CT.

Paul was a kind and gentle man with a fantastic sense of humor who loved a good joke and movies featuring Peter Sellers. One couldn’t help laughing right along with him. He enjoyed playing golf and followed the careers of his favorite pro golfers throughout the years faithfully watching the PGA tours on TV.

He was a member of the Sikorsky Golf League for many years. Whenever he had the chance, Paul would attend the Greater Hartford Open/Travelers Championship with his sons, David and Bob, sharing his love of the game.

He enjoyed a good meal, a nice glass of red wine, and when his daughter Judy moved to California, he loved to visit and experience the Wine Country, sampling all the varietals.

He loved fishing, gardening and nature, spending many afternoons on his back porch enjoying the flowers, birds, and squirrels in the yard. Paul will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

A funeral service and a mass of Christian burial will be held at a future date.