Obituary of James J. DeSantis

James J. DeSantis, 83, of Schwab Manor, Gerry, NY, formerly of Dunn Avenue, Jamestown and West Palm Beach, FL. Died Tuesday May 25, 2021, in his home. A Jamestown native, he was born January 5, 1938, a son of the late Nunzio and Carmella Postogalo DeSantis. He was a 1956 graduate of Jamestown High School where he lettered in baseball, track and football and was voted most outstanding athlete of his class. Due to his athletic prowess, he was offered a full scholarship to play football at the University of San Diego from 1959-63 and was named captain of the team. He was a veteran of the US Marine Corps serving form 1963-64 where he was a platoon leader. Prior to his retirement he was employed by Beltone Hearing Services and earlier owned and operated DeSantis Lincoln Mercury with his late brother Lou. He had also worked for Scalise Construction and International Harvester where he sold heavy duty trucks. He was a communicant of St. John Catholic Church where he enjoyed volunteering at the annual Italian Festival. His other memberships include Lions Club, Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion and Jamestown Moose Lodge. He was an avid fan of Nascar and the Buffalo Bills and enjoyed waterskiing and golf. While living in Florida he volunteered every year for the PGA Tour event, the Honda Classic, held in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Surviving are his wife Joanne Foti DeSantis; a son James Brockway (Jeanne) DeSantis of San Diego, CA; four stepdaughters Deanna (Tim) Spitz of Jamestown, Denise (Jim) Agnew of Warren, PA, Susan (Paul Orsenigo) Christiansen of West Palm Beach, FL and Sheryle (John) O'Neill of Jamestown and six grandchildren Emily and Lindsey Spitz, Max and Kelly Christiansen, Mark (Kelsey Tyler) O'Neill and Adam O' Neill. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Diane Kulig DeSantis in 2000; three sisters Catharine Mancini, Rose Kij, and Betty Vaccaro and three brothers Lou, Phil and Pat DeSantis. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Friends will be received from 11 am to 1 pm Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to University of San Diego Athletics, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.