Donald J. Santini (Coach, Don)
Fairport, NY
Don passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat, children, Pam, Tom (Amy) and Michael (Michelle), grandchildren, Tyler, Jake, Makenzi and Paige, many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and dear friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael.
Don was born to Michael and Laura Santini in Clyde, New York on August 26, 1939. At a young age, he moved with his parents and brother Michael, to High Street in Fairport, New York. At the age of five, Don lost his father in a tragic accident. After the death of his father, Don’s godparents, Willie and Jill Messerino, became a source of unwavering support during his childhood and beyond, with Willie serving as a father figure to him. It was Willie who brought sports into Don’s life, teaching him how to play baseball and football, the latter becoming one of his lifelong passions. Don went on to play football throughout his youth, eventually playing for Coach Joe Cummings, whose dedication to his players and steadfast encouragement served as an inspiration for his desire to go into teaching and coaching. Don eventually attended the SUNY College at Brockport, where he played football and majored in health and physical education. Both Willie and Coach Cummings provided the foundation for Don’s commitment to pursuing his degree and educating and mentoring players and students throughout his life.
Don’s passion for football and desire to teach was an integral part of his youth and teenage years in Fairport, but Don’s life would be changed forever while sitting in a classroom at Fairport High School on West Avenue. One day, a new student walked into his English class. Don turned to his friend, Gary Stubbings, and said “she is going to be mine.” The young student’s name was Patti Lane from Amesbury, Massachusetts. It was love at first sight. Don and Patti began dating shortly after that first meeting. They dated throughout high school and college, eventually marrying on June 22, 1963. Shortly after, Don and Pat moved to Morrisville, NY where their family began to grow. Their daughter, Pam, was born in 1964, followed by their son, Tom, in 1965. In 1966, they moved to Le Roy, New York where their son, Michael, was born in 1974. In 1975, Don and Pat moved back to Fairport, New York and raised their family in the community, where nearly two decades before, they had first met. After returning home, Don’s career flourished.
Don’s distinguished football career began at Morrisville High School in 1963 as the head football coach. In 1966, he became the head coach for the football and track programs and physical education teacher for the Le Roy Central School District, where in 1966, he led the Oatkan Knights to his first undefeated season as a coach. In 1975, he left the Le Roy Central School District after he was hired as the head football coach and a physical education teacher at Fairport Central School District. While at Fairport, his pregame speeches became legendary, and he coached the Red Raiders football team to seven Section V championships and two “mythical” state championships, with the 1991 team ranked 23rd in the country by USA Today. He later became the Director of Athletics and remained in the position until his retirement. Although Don retired from his official capacity in 1999, his lifelong pursuit of teaching and mentoring led him to continue in administrative roles throughout Monroe County until 2019. He was also instrumental in establishing the New York State High School Football Coaches Association (NYHSFCA) in 1994 with eight other coaches. He eventually became the President of the NYHSFCA and was active with the organization until 2023. Don was inducted into several Halls of Fame and received numerous awards. Although Don continued to be involved in the football community after his retirement, his primary focus was his family.
In his later years, Don spent countless moments enjoying time with his family, especially his grandchildren. In 1992, Don became a grandfather for the first time to Tyler, followed by Jake, Makenzi and Paige. He adored his grandchildren, and it was evident in the way his eyes lit up and the smile that came across his face when he was with them. It gave him great pride to cheer for each of them at their sporting events. Don also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends on Canandaigua Lake, trips to South Carolina and Florida to visit cherished friends, family vacations to Plum Island, Massachusetts, trips to Europe with family and friends and many drives in his Ford Mustang convertible to get ice cream with the love of his life, Pat.
Don’s legacy is felt throughout the Fairport community and beyond. The motivation that inspired him to become a coach, teacher and mentor is evident in the impact he had on the many students and players he encouraged and supported throughout his career. He will always be remembered for his integrity, loyalty, leadership and commitment to excellence. Don’s legacy also lives on in his children and grandchildren who learned the values of hard work, humility, dedication to community, respect, fairness, resilience, compassion, pride, strength and above all, devotion to and love for family.
To honor and continue Coach Santini’s enthusiasm to help young students, a foundation has been established in his name to carry on his legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation to the Don Santini Foundation, 130 Winton Road, P.O Box 10277, Rochester, New York 14610.
Once A Raider Always A Raider.
Calling Hours Sunday March 9th , 2025 1-6PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. Parking may be limited. PLEASE USE SHUTTLE Service provided by Fairport Central Schools from Fairport High School 1 Dave Paddock Way, Fairport. Shuttle Service will begin 12noon at the FHS Bus Loop. Funeral Mass Monday March 10th, 2025 11:15AM at Church of the Assumption 20 East Avenue, Fairport, NY. The mass will also be livestreamed at https://assumptionresurrection.org/livestream
Comments
42 responses to “Santini, Donald J.”
Patty, Pam, Tom and Michael and the entire Santini family; I wish I had some magic words to say to you all after hearing of Don’s passing other than I am so sorry. He was loved by so many and will be missed by so many including me. Having the pleasure of working with Don in the Supervisor’s office and the Athletic Office at Fairport was such a blessing for me. Every day was always full of laughter, consideration and respect. Thank you all for sharing him with me and my family. Love and hugs and peace to you all and for Donald J. Santini, rest in peace.
To the Santini family, all of you are in my prayers. I have many fond memories of attending U of R Football Camp as a player for Albion High School and he was friends with my coach, coach Diminuco. Coach Santini’s passion for the game was on full display as one of the coaches at the camp. More importantly, as he always gave a “pep talk” his devotion to his family, faith, and former student-athletes was clearly evident. That has always had an impact on me, and served as an inspiration for me to become an educator and coach. All of you are in my prayers, and he will be missed by many! God Bless Coach Santini!
Love you coach, to all of us you were like a father. You impacted many lives including my own. It was a privilege to say I played for you. My prayers to all the Santini family.
My thoughts & prayers to all the Santini family. What a legacy Coach has left, very well loved & appreciated by all who were blessed to know him.
He will remain in our hearts forever!
To the family, my sincere condolences for your lose of this wonderful man. His effect on the lives he touched is without words.
I grew up with Don on the northside of Fairport. He was a year behind me in school. I will never forget the many, many times we played pick up football on someones lawn in the neighborhood. Lots of competition. Maybe some confrontation.
In high school, I played football with Don. At that time, I didn’t realize what an honor that would be, based on the respect, honors and accomplishments that graced his life and coaching career. Over time someone would say to me….”Oh you know coach Santini”? And I could respond, “yes, I played some QB, so I have had the honor of having my hand in his crotch.”
As “adults,” I had the extreme pleasure of a “front row seat” to many of his teams exciting record wins in FHS football. As I and three other of Dons high school pals, were the “Chain Gang’ for more than 15 years of his historic career at Fairport.
RIP my friend. You will never be forgotten.
Coach Santini was an important coach and mentor to me at Le Roy High School. And his entire life was to be a leader in Western NY.
Our condolences to the family.
Coach Santini wouldn’t want me starting an argument over it. But a case could be made that he’ll forever rank #1 as the most spirited and spiritually uplifting Red Raider of all time. At a minimum, he’s in great company near the very top of that list. On and off the field, he genuinely cared about and always lent an ear or helping hand to anyone who needed it. We’ll all miss him, and we offer our sincere condolences to his extended family and thousands of friends. May he rest in Peace.
Darren McKinney
Fairport Class of ’77
Washington, D.C.
Great person and a solid family man.
Basically , a Legendary Coach in NYS and the WNY area.
God Bless Don & the Santini family.
Dennis G Kenney—- Retired School Administrator
Great person and a solid family man.
Don was a Legendary Coach in NYS & WNY. One of a kind!
God Bless Don & the Santini family.
Deepest condolences to the Santini family. I had the privilege of working with Coach as a new teacher in the late 80s and early 90s. He was an incredibly supportive administrator. He was also a man with a gift that made all feel important as he focused in on you. He was a few years behind my Mom, Jeanne Hogan Stewart, at FHS and invariably asked after her whenever our paths crossed. I moved away from Rochester over 20 years ago and yet when I was back visiting a few years ago, he knew exactly who I was when I ran into him. It’s a good memory to have about a special man. RIP Coach
Prayers and Condolences to family and friends on the recent passing of Don Santini.
As he lived a life in giving to others, I am certainly motivated to keep him in Prayer as his Spirit ascends toward the Presence God in this next Phase of his Journey.
Although we may not know, (with absolute certainty), what may extend beyond this mortal body, it has been said / suggested that we may, one day, reunite in “God’s House of Many Mansions” in a manner that is beyond our current mode of comprehension.
Condolences, Prayers, and Warm Wishes to Family, friends, and all who knew him during the interim.
~ Dennis M.
My thoughts are with Mike, and the rest of Coach Santini’s family. The legacy Coach Santini leaves in his wake is difficult to overstate. Even from my Pop Warner days, Coach was the face of Fairport football. When I finally had the privilege to play football on his team, I saw why.
By no means was I a great athlete, or even a good football player. Frankly, on paper, I had no business in pads nor in cleats. Coach made me feel like I could do it, so I did it. 1992-93 was my senior year, and on paper our team had little business winning the state championship. He made us feel like we could, so we did it.
Our opponents on the field were often bigger and faster, but nobody worked harder than we did. More importantly, nobody cared more. Coach was quick to remind us not only how much we meant to the community, but also how fleeting our shot at the brass ring was to be.
Four years after my senior year, I graduated college and promptly broke my neck in a shallow water diving accident. In an instant, I was paralyzed from the chest down and petrified from the chest up. When I was in traction at Strong, Coach paid me a visit and told me, “you’re just gonna have to bust your ass. i’ve seen you do it before. You can do it again.“
He made me feel like I could. Less than two years after my accident I started law school, and have been practicing law in Florida for 23 years and counting now. As much as anyone in my heroic family and support system, Coach Santini molded my lifelong refusal to quit or lose. Coach let me know what I had deep down inside of me, and gave me the courage to dig all the way down to find it.
Thank you so much, Coach. Rest in Peace.
I will always remember Don in such a positive way. He was a role model, a great coach and a good friend. I remember as the Athletic Director how supportive and encouraging he was. He made coaching even more fun. Don was certainly a special guy to so many people and he will be sorely missed by his friends, his students and players and his loving family. Rest in peace, Coach!,
Coach Santini was one of those great souls who always made my proud to have been part of the Fairport HS experience. He once chided me to call him by his first name…but nope, to me he was always ‘coach.’. Rest in Peace, coach.
Mike Celent
Class of 77
Coach Santini was one of those great souls who always made me proud to have been part of the Fairport High School experience. My condolences.
Mike celent
Class of 77
Coach Santini’s words: “Once a Raider…..Always a Raider” reminds us that Fairport is such a better place because of him. There will never be another like you, Coach….
With Love, The Garrett’s…….Coach, Gayle, Shannon and family.
As a young man there was no one more influential in my life than Coach. Now that I am an older man, I’m in the same boat. I think fondly of my times playing football as a Red Raider. I learned a lot about hard work, how to be physically and mentally tough, and work for something together as a team. He will be missed forever.
Dear Pam and the entire Santini family we are saddened to hear Coach passed. So glad he went peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Such a wonderful man that always greeted me with a smile and a handshake even when it was to tell me what my kid did wrong. You made the world a better place to be and your impact will ripple through generations….. Miss ya Love ya Coach!!!
Thanks for all you gave.and shared with your students, community and family. A true legend who inspired many to become better athletes and people. Prayers for the family!! A life well lived which will be honored by many . Once a raider,, always a raider!!!?❤️. Class of 84
Such a sweet accomplished man. Our thoughts are with the Santini.family.
To Pam and the rest of the Santini family, we have lost one of the “great ones”. His legacy will live on through all who he touched in his teaching, coaching, mentoring and friendship. You all are in my heart and he will be missed!
Patti, I played with Don for 3 years at Brockport and want to say I am very sorry for your loss. I am sure your dedication to this Legend in His Chosen Life was helped by you and your family. I am about to publish the results of a study I have nearly completed highlighting their life after Graduation. by old guys that wore the GREEN AND GOLD. Others have asked and I would like to include the portions of his life in this document. It is scheduled for publication and distribution in April.
Once A Raider, Always A Raider are words that I still live by today. You were a mentor and a father figure to me during some tough times in my life. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. God Bless you, your family and may you rest in peace. I know that grin will be looking over my shoulder keeping me on the straight and narrow.
He was a great influence in my life to strive for excellence and play with passion. He used to say give your soul to God because you’re@#$# belongs to me. Which I am now in the ministry as a pastor and I think how many times I heard him say that and I finally did do that. I remember running over to the high school when I was in 8th grade and seeing the football tryouts and he encouraged me to go out for football and go to Keuka football camp he helped me understand what a man is and how to put your heart in it. I will always be thankful that Don santini was in my life. I wrote him all the way back in 1982 to let him know that. I love you coach santini. Thank you.
Pat, Tom and Amy, Mike and Michelle and the Santini family. Your Sunnyside family sends their condolences for the passing of a legend, your husband and father Don.
He was always kind and welcoming to us down at the lake and we will miss chatting with him in the early mornings on our walks and runs. The girls will be sure to catch a few TD’s while jumping off the dock for him this summer. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
– Ryan and Kristen (Johnson) Davis and girls.
My deepest condolences are with the whole Santini family. Coach was a legend who had a profound positive impact on my life. His enthusiasm and energy were contagious and he brought out the best in all of us. Coach was a Hall of Famer in all facets of life and without a doubt, the Best of the Very Best. You will be missed but remembered forever. Rest in Peace Coach Santini.
Dan Enright
FHS Class of 1978
RIP Don . You r very deserving of your forever rest . You touch many, many lives young and old . It was great to know you and work with you as Booster Club parents . You have done what you set out to do . God Bless and Once A Raider Always a Raider
Condolences to Pat and Family .?️
I will always be proud to have played for Coach. Even as a kid in my Pop Warner days watching him lead the team onto the field he had a special charisma about him. Later when I played for him I learned what that was, his ability to motivate players in their own to play beyond their abilities and come together as a team. He was a great role model, on and off the field that I will never forget. He used to invite the whole team to mass at Assumption of Our Lady on game morning, only a handful showed up.
He cared about everyone, not just his players and was always willing to help who needed it. I can still hear him yelling across the field “Trubisky get over here”.
My sincere condolences to family and friends. Rest in Peace Coach.
Bob Trubisky
Class 88
I had the great fortune of calling Din Santini Godfather. He and my father, Gary Stubbings were best friends in school and beyond. My father passed at a very young age, just before my first birthday, but decades later, Don was still carrying my father’s senior picture in his wallet. His dedication and loyalty extended well beyond the playing field, and came straight from his heart. I am forever for our last gathering a few years ago here in Florida, with his glorious wife, Pat and son, Mike. I shall cherish the memory and photos from that day and take comfort in knowing he rests with our Lord. May it be in eternal peace, dear Don. Sending love and prayers to Pat and their family. Godspeed, Don. Love, Susie Stubbings Barber.
I was blessed to have Coach Santini in my life since our families became close in
Le Roy in the mid 1970’s. Coach Santini let Tom and me be water boys for his teams in ’73 and ’74. Tom was eight and I was nine – we were best friends growing up. Our families remained close after they moved to Fairport. Coach and my father, and Mrs. Santini and my mother would remain best friends for the rest of my parents’ lives. Coach was always so great to me and Mrs. Santini treated me like one of her own while showing me what grace looks like.
The memories I have are priceless.
If you heard Coach Santini speak, you learned so many things about him – that he was intelligent, that he was thoughtful, that he was funny and that he could tell a story in a way that was truly his own.
To hear him speak, publicly or privately, was to learn of the quality of his heart and the strength of his love. He spoke with passion and conviction, with an intensity that was so strong that it seemed at times that he was speaking loudly – even when he wasn’t. And the way that he spoke was the way that he lived his life.
He was so full of life, and to me, he was always larger than life.
Coach Santini possessed that rare combination of incredible strength paired with a beautiful heart. Some men have neither, some have one or the other – Coach Santini had both and he had them in their greatest form.
When I was back home last July, I went to visit Coach and Mrs. Santini. I needed to make sure that he knew what an impact he had on my life. I could go on at great length about the things that he did for me – but this one thing, I believe summarizes it best:
Right before I said goodbye to him, told him that I loved him for the last time, I told him that I needed him to know something. I told him that my wife and I raised our three sons to be strong and good and above all else passionate and loving. I told him that for my part, over all of those years, I tried my best to emulate two men, that I heard two voices guiding me – that one was my father, and the other was Coach Santini.
My heart goes out to the whole Santini family. Coach Santini was an amazing coach and teacher. His smile and warmth lit up any room he entered. His love of Fairport and of what it meant to be a Raider was second to none. Your legacy will live on Coach! Once a Raider, ALWAYS a Raider! ❤️💙
Coach and Santini family my deepest condolences for your loss.
I hope you are are filled with memories that brings you a smile during this difficult time. I am certainly proud to have known and played for coach.
His lagecy lives on through all who he touch, mentored, or taught. It was always great to see coach no matter how many years had passed by he would remember you and call you by name.
As a coach I love using one of his sayings “It’s my way or the highway” adding to the end of it “You’re DTR” Down The Road. It still can be heard if you listen in FHS valley.
What an inspiration to all who knew him he will be forever missed.
FHS 88
When they look up the definition of Fairport there will only be a picture of Red Raider No. 1
It’s truly awesome to see the familiar names from comments posted from those across generations and graduating alumni who are his living legacy.
Our deepest sympathy for the Don Santini family. He was a great man and loved by all that knew him. I am Pam‘s cousin from New Hampshire. We are grateful for Don and Pam‘s keeping in touch with us from the New England area.
Love to the family
Judi and Gary Daigle
I was one of those lucky ones. I had the opportunity to stand on the opposite sideline and coach against Don and his always excellent football teams. He was a great coach, a wonderful teacher and an even better person.
Don, thank you!
Dearest Santino’s, especially our fantastic neighbors Tom & Amy… your sense of family and honor and integrity is oh so obvious and we share in this loss of a fine man. Embrace your family, this’ll be a journey for all🙏🏻
We met when I was his secretary during his Admin AP subbing at PHS (job sharing with his partner in crime, Gary Clark). Although his name was already very well known in the area. We were quite the team during that extended time at PHS.
My husband and I became fast friends with Don and his beautiful bride, Pat. We spent some great times together at breakfasts, lunches, the Lake, and the Potter home; always sharing about our children and grandkids. We feel privileged for that time. Jim’s re-do of a small wooden Santini family bench is a fond memory. The back reads: Don and Pat Santini, Forever, Fairport, NY. We will miss you.
Sending our deepest condolences to Pat and the entire Santini family. What a beautifully written tribute to a lovely man with a life well lived.
Don, fly high with the Angels…
RIP Coach Boss. I’m sure there was both a Red Raider Award and a Spark Plug Award waiting for you. ❤️
Adding a couple more memories to bring a smile: as a 15 yo LeRoy High student, I took Lifesaving Class from “Coach” at a neighborhood pool. At one point, he played victim and our task was retrieve him from the deep, and then out of the pool. No amount of leverage would allow me to do the proper lift OUT!! I finally whispered “now what?” He said, “Yell HELP!” Then, as scorekeepers at LHS first wrestling program, we girls received 2 yr varsity letters with the team! (As a teacher, I later used this “award” to impress my own students!) Later, I was a FHS Track Mom with Class of 2000. Surely, making athletics FUN was PART OF the “Santini Education Mission” during his tenure here! Peace&Smiles.
RIP Coach