Leno Santacaterina passed away on January 11 at the age of 94. He was the son of the late Vincent and Amabile, brother of Mary (the late Donald Julian), beloved husband for 66 years of the late Rena Bartolomei, cherished father of Nancy (the late Thomas Donohoe), Susan (Charles Sanders), Judy (Matthew Swan), Michael (Mary Ellen) and Amy.  Unforgettable Nonno to Kevin and Brian Donohoe, Lee and Zoe Sanders, Jacqueline Manny, Brianna Gonzalez, Michael, Daniel and Jenni Santacaterina; loving Bisnonno to Madelynn, Marjorie, Eleanor, Allyson and Thomas Donohoe; Audree and Bella Manny; Nora Jo Gonzalez and Logan Santacaterina.  Dear Uncle to Carol, Georgina and Mark Triggiano, Donna Serpico, Nannette, Stephen, Tina, Roseanne and Thomas Maffei; special brother-in-law to the late Swede Julian, Ralph and the late Alice Triggiano, and the late Rose and Alfred Maffei.

Leno was born in Turin, Italy in 1926.  He spent his childhood with his family and many relatives in the Pullman, Roseland and Austin neighborhoods of Chicago.  He attended Manley High School and Wright Jr. College.  A WWII veteran, he proudly served in the Philippines with the US Army. He often said that one of the best days of his life was taking the Honor Flight with WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. in 2016.

Leno was the president of Val-Sant Construction in the early 60s, then started Belgo Foods, Inc., with his mother, Amabile.  He loved his family, his friends, good food, dancing, his golf membership at Itasca Country Club, gin rummy, bocce and being a Nonno and Bisnonno. He was a pragmatic dreamer with a dry sense of humor, the beloved patriarch of his family, a loyal friend, a patriot and a gentle man.

Due to pandemic concerns, services were private.  A celebration of Lee's life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Honor Flight Chicago , the Historic Pullman Foundation or Casa Italia in Stone Park would be appreciated.

For information, The Elms Funeral Home at 708-453-1234 or www.elmsfh.com

"You've got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true…"