Leo A. Santowasso

Leo Anthony Santowasso was born August 21, 1935, in Rahway NJ, to Anna Marie Radice and Leonardo Carmen Santowasso. Capping a long career of engineering that began in 1957, was his thirty-five year leadership at Heritage Consulting Engineers located in Flemington, NJ. The office, coincidentally, overlooked the 12th hole of an adjacent golf course.

Always a proud New Jersey native, Leo spent his retirement years in Pinehurst NC, in the home state of his wife, Emily, on the golf course, but also on the project site, at the drawing board and within meeting rooms. A twenty-plus year member of Pinehurst Country Club, easing into retirement for Leo meant initially working at Pinehursts’ National No. 9 and No. 7 golf courses as a ranger/starter, later taking on more continuous work with McGill and Associates in Pinehurst. He advised many on engineering, historical and community matters via the Pinehurst Planning and Zoning Board and the Pinehurst Historical Commission, by volunteering on the Juniper Creek HOA at Pinehurst No. 6, and chairing the Moore County Board of Health.

His retirement home, also coincidentally, was situated on a golf course. Leo was a member and/or fellow of ASEC, ASCE, ITE, NJSME and various other professional engineering organizations. He was a graduate of NC State, with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Transportation, Planning and Traffic Engineering. He was very proud to wear his red Wolfpack shirt, and he had many to alternate in his wardrobe. Leo was also proud of his service in the US Army where he trained as a Combat Engineer.

Father to three with his wife of 66 years on August 31, 2023, Emily Eastwood Santowasso (nee Francis), he leaves behind his daughter Miriam Elizabeth Cash (nee Santowasso) spouse, Joseph A Cash, Jr.; Leo Michael Santowasso, spouse, Mary Rebecca (nee Sillmon); and William David Bruce Santowasso; along with seven grandchildren: Joseph A. Cash III, Liam F. Cash, Shane G. Cash, Raymond Abney, Reilly Francis Santowasso, William Payne Santowasso and Zoey Jane Mary Santowasso. Leo is survived by his only sibling, Elizabeth Anne Braucht (Santowasso) of Neptune City, NJ.

Leo worked until shortly before he was afflicted by a devastating illness in early July, which he valiantly fought with acceptance and compassion for those who now had to care for his every need. As much as the family hated to learn this lesson, he taught us all so much in his last six weeks of life; and for that we are forever grateful.

Leo’s jovial, mischievous sense of humor and wit, his intense love of engineering and doing the right thing for the community he served, his passion for golf and his bond to his family, both nuclear, extended and adopted, will be a big part of his legacy. He lived a long, beautiful, full life and will be missed by many family members, co-workers, neighbors and the long string of life-long friends he acquired along the way; some of which, have predeceased him; he will be missed terribly by all who knew him, and those who regrettably he hadn’t yet met.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ with receiving beginning at 12:00pm. A second service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Boles Funeral Home, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst NC at 1:00pm with receiving and light refreshments following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NC State College of Engineering, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering or The Village of Pinehurst directed to the Historical Preservation Commission or the USGA Golf Association, USGA Golf House, Pinehurst Project, for which Leo was instrumental in the initial planning.

Arrangements in NJ are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit Leo’s Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.