||| FROM TONY GIEFER |||
Robert Carl Santonocito
Robert Carl Santonocito, 77, of Olga, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on November 11, 2025, surrounded by his beloved wife and family. Born in Jamaica, New York, to Carlo and Letitia (Rafferty) Santonocito, Robert lived a life marked by service, adventure, and devotion.
Raised in Bethpage, New York, Robert graduated from Bethpage High School in 1966 and went on to study at SUNY Maritime College Fort Schuyler. He earned his MBA in 1975 while serving in the Naval Reserve, where he was honorably discharged in 1978. His early career in the merchant marine was cut short by an accident, but it never dimmed his passion for travel and the sea.
Robert met the love of his life, Eileen Dembitzki, while working at AMAX Inc in Manhattan. Their bond, forged in the halls of logistics and finance, blossomed into a marriage that spanned 52 years. They wed in Bethpage, New York on October 20, 1973, and together built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared purpose.
In 1979, Robert and Eileen moved to Washington State, where he worked for Jones Stevedoring for ten years and a series of maritime companies before transitioning to a successful career as a licensed investment advisor. In 2005, he founded Santonocito and Associates, a financial consulting firm that reflected his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to helping others.
Robert was a man of many passions—gardening, home improvement, walking, and opera, especially the music of his ancestral homeland, Sicily where Robert and Eileen would frequent in their travels. He was deeply devoted to managing his family’s investments and sharing stories of his global travels, always with a sharp sense of humor.
A proud member of the American Legion in Eastsound and the Knights of Columbus, Robert was also an active volunteer at St. Francis Catholic Church in Eastsound, where he and Eileen found a cherished community. During his semi-retirement years, they bought a house there. Living on Orcas Island was one of the most joyful chapters of their lives.
He is survived by his wife, Eileen Santonocito; daughter, Cathy; sisters, Michelle (Jack Cunningham) and Margaret (Ralph Iannuzzi); and a host of extended family and friends who will miss his warmth, wisdom, and wit.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Noon, on November 24, 2025, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Eastsound, celebrated by Father Xavier Bazil followed by a reception and committal service at Olga Cemetery. To share memories of Robert, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/robert-santonocito
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