Obituary of Frederick DellaSantina

A private family service will be held for Frederick (Rico) Della Santina, who passed away with his wife at his side on November 8, 2017. Raised in Davenport California, Rico attended Agua Puerca , Laurel School, Mission Hill, and Graduated from Santa Cruz High in 1951. He began his career at the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. in Davenport, but left in 1953 to serve in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller in Pusan, Korea and Later at Travis AFB, until his discharge in 1956. He returned to Davenport to continue his work for the Cement Plant until his retirement in 1995. He enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball, water skiing and camping trips with this family, and later on enjoyed playing golf and traveling with his wife Sue in their RV. He was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation and Marconi Club. He was also a life-long fan of both the SF 49er's and SF Giants. Rico was preceded in death by his father, Domenico, mother, Nora, and his older brother Louis. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue, his sons Fred, Mark, and daughter Gina, son in law Shane, his 3 loving Grandchildren (his "joys in life"), Katie Kenville and her husband Nathan, Garrett and Jenny, brother Paul Della Santina, several nieces and his dear brother and sister in law, Jess Van Deventer and Sharon Van Deventer of San Diego Ca. their respective families. The family would also like to give a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers and staff of Hospice of Santa Cruz County. A memorial service for friends and family with reception to follow will be held on Monday, November 20th beginning at 11:00 am at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel.