Reverend John E. Santor

The Reverend John E. Santor, 86, died December 8, 2025, at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Father Santor was born on May 26, 1939, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Edward S. and Sabina (Podbielski) Santor. After attending St. Hedwig Grade School and Cathedral Preparatory School, both in Erie, he attended Gannon College (now Gannon University) while in St. Mark Seminary. He finished his seminary formation at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, and Christ the King Seminary, St. Bonaventure, New York. He was ordained a priest on May 27, 1965, in St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, by the Most Reverend Frederick Hall.

Father Santor began his priestly ministry as a member of the faculty of Venango Christian High School in Oil City. While there, he also served as Weekend Assistant in St. Stephen Parish, likewise in Oil City.

In 1977, he was assigned to the faculty of Cathedral Preparatory School, where he remained until 1979. While at Cathedral Preparatory School, he was Weekend Assistant first at St. Paul Parish, Erie, and then at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Erie.

Father Santor was appointed Pastor of St. Paul Parish, Erie in 1979, a position he held until 1992 when he was named Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, Erie. In 1994, He was assigned to Mercyhurst Preparatory School. During his tenure there he served as temporary Parochial Administrator of St. Stephen Parish, Erie, and, from 1996-1999, as chaplain to the Sisters of the Divine Spirit, Erie.

In 1999, he was assigned to campus ministry at Pennsylvania State University, the Behrend College, Erie, while also Weekend Assistant at St. Andrew Parish, Erie. He was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish (now St. Joseph/Bread of Life Community Parish), Erie, in 2000 and remained there until 2002. He served as Chaplain to Pleasant Ridge Manor, Erie, and Twinbrook Nursing Home, Erie, from 2002 to 2007, and from 2001 to 2014, he was served as Chaplain to Gannondale, Erie. From 2008 to 2010, he served as a Sacramental Assistant at St. Patrick, Erie.

Fr. Santor remained active in ministry following his retirement in 2010, by continuing as Chaplain at Gannondale and celebrating weekly Mass at Pleasant Ridge Manor until 2015.

In addition to his parents, Fr. Santor was preceded in death by his sisters, Theresa Ann Feyas and Rita Sulecki.

Visitation will take place on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Saint Stanislaus Church, 516 E. 13th St., Erie, PA 16503, from 9:30 AM until the funeral Mass at 11:00 AM, with The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, Bishop of Erie, as the main celebrant. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Davis-Garr Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc. 459 East 12th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16503. Online condolences may be sent to Davisgarrfuneralhome.com.