Obituary of Donald F. Santa

Donald Farley "Bud" Santa

June 30, 1929 – December 28, 2024

Donald Farley Santa, age 95, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, was called to the Lord on Saturday, December 28, 2024. Donald, known by family and friends as "Bud," was born in Bridgeport on June 30, 1929, to Stephen and Madelyn Farley Santa. Along with his three brothers and sister, he grew up on Patterson Avenue in Stratford, where he attended Garden Elementary School and Stratford High School, making lifelong friends and memories.

Bud served his country as an active-duty Marine Corps Reserve from 1947 to 1949 and retired from the reserve as a staff sergeant in 1953. While on active duty, he was posted at the Norfolk Navy Station. Bud was a proud Marine for the rest of his life. Upon completing his military service, Bud joined his parents and brothers, George and Norman, in the fuel oil business his parents started in 1940. He was an invaluable contributor to the meteoric growth of Santa Fuel (now Santa Energy) over the next 40 years. In addition to establishing the operations and controls for the company's barge terminal, he managed the acquisition and maintenance of the company's 150-unit truck fleet, that now operates in three states. He loved this role, and it showed.

While Bud's active career ended in 1996, he was regularly at Santa Energy over the next 25 years providing counsel on matters within his wheelhouse. Bud's genuine personality and dedication to the good of the company won him the admiration and support of generations of colleagues at Santa Energy. They all loved Bud. In May of 1956, Bud's life was forever changed when he married Jane Trejsner, embarking on an adventure of more than 68 years. Jane's independent spirit, Bud's steadfastness, and their shared devotion to family shaped their lives. Over the years, they resided in Stratford and Milford. They traveled the globe, making friends and memories, sometimes on excursions sponsored by industry trade groups but often with family. Bud was a devoted husband, and it was a long and happy marriage.

Bud's greatest pride and accomplishment were his three children, Donald Jr., Sue, and Jim. He quietly instilled values of hard work and integrity while giving them the freedom to pursue their aspirations. He always was quietly but completely supportive of his children's pursuit of their academic, professional, and recreational goals. Bud delighted in hearing about their latest personal and professional adventures and took every opportunity to share in their lives. He welcomed his children's spouses and took joy in his grandchildren. The greatest gift his family could give Bud was time together, so triennial Christmas trips to warm weather destinations were a family tradition for nearly 40 years.

Bud loved playing golf, visiting the family beach cottage on weekend summer afternoons, playing cards with friends, tinkering in the garage, watching a great musical, laughing at a good comedy, and reading, especially military history and John Grisham. He was a committed parishioner at St. Mark Catholic Church and a member of Mill River Country Club for over 50 years. He devotedly followed the basketball fortunes of two of his children's almamaters (archrivals Duke and North Carolina) and the highs and lows of the New York Yankees. Bud will be remembered for his sense of humor, his quiet and warm personality, his unfailing loyalty and pride in his family.

Bud is survived by his devoted wife, Jane; son, Donald Jr. of Edgewater, MD; wife, Karen; and two children, Evan and Madelyn; daughter Sue (Santa) of Alexandria, VA; and husband, Charles Battani; son James (Jim) of Scottsdale, AZ, wife, Jill, and son Travis; brother John S. Santa of Southport, CT, and wife Irene; sister Stephaine DeForest of Stratford, CT; sister-in-law Janet Santa of Shelton, CT; seventeen nieces and nephews and numerous extended family. He was predeceased by his brothers, George and Norman, and his sister-in-law, Barbara (wife of George).

Services in celebration of Bud's life will take place on Saturday, January 11th. Relatives and friends may greet the family from 9:30-11:00 am at Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road in Fairfield Center, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Mark Catholic Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, and internment at St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Mark Catholic Church (St Mark Catholic Church, Stratford, CT - STRATFORD, CT | Online Giving) or Homes for theBrave (Homes for the Brave - Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute, Inc.)

For Travel directions or to sign Donald's online registry, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.