Chester Santarosa, 77, passed away on Wednesday September 29, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Sulmona, Abruzzi, Italy, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Lucia (Celeste) Santarosa.

Chester's father and older brother came to the United States prior to World War II and made their home in Niagara Falls, NY. Following the War, Chester immigrated to the United States along with his mother, sister and another brother. They arrived in New York City Harbor, Labor Day weekend 1946 and were reunited with their family the following day. During the Korean War, Chester served in the United States Air Force from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1955. After his service, he worked as a union carpenter on the Niagara Power Project and various other residential and commercial construction projects in the area; he was especially proud of the home that he built for his family. Chester then worked for his older brother at Santarosa Trucking. He later owned CRS Trucking in Niagara Falls, NY from 1972 until his retirement in 2005.

Chester was a member of the Cristoforo Colombo Society in Niagara Falls, NY and enjoyed cooking. An extensive traveler, Chester travelled to many exotic cities around the world and with his family travelled the continental United States. Each adventure allowed the opportunity to gather interesting facts, live his life to the fullest, and enabled him to expand on his passion for history.

He was the husband of forty-nine years to Rose (Bonanno) Santarosa, who predeceased him on May 23, 2005; and the husband of Gina Ranalli for the past two years. Survivors also include his four children Romolo "Ron" (Kathy) Santarosa of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; Lucia "LouAnn" (Bruce) Lucsok, Linda (Joseph) Danovskis both of Town of Wheatfield; and Anthony (Susan) Santarosa of Youngstown,NY; thirteen grandchildren, Cesare, Justin, Nicole Santarosa, Joseph (Anna) Lucsok, Rose (Alexi) Heringer, Philip (Raphaela Marx) Lucsok, Dane, Devon, Bryce Danovskis, Allesandra, Anthony II, Annah, and Amelia Santarosa; three great-granddaughters Sophia, Kiara, and Victoria; one brother Claude (Eleanor) Santarosa of Lewiston, NY and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Julio (late Mary) Santarosa and his sister Liana Curtis.

Visitation Sunday 4 – 8 P.M. at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY RD. NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday October 4th at 10:00 AM at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 27th St. and Independence Ave., Niagara Falls, NY, with Rev. Duane Klizek officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment with Military Honors in St, Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr. Lockport, NY 14094.