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Salvatore ‘Sal’ Randazzo

Jan. 9, 1939 - Nov. 17, 2017

Randazzo

Salvatore “Sal” Randazzo, affectionately called “Toto,” 78, Altoona, passed away Friday at UPMC Altoona.

He was born in Sciara, Sicily, son of the late Guiseppe and Maria Randazzo.

Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Santina “Mama” Randazzo; four children: Maria, Guiseppe, Marco and Paolo; seven grandchildren: Aiden, Jack, Max, Joe Joe, Leo, Luca and Bella; a brother, Lareto Randazzo; and two sisters: Guiseppina Battaglia and Maria Antonia Buccellato.

Sal migrated to America in 1956, landing in New York with few family members and even fewer dollars but determined to live the American Dream. Years later, Sal met a much younger Santina Frucella at Stella Dora Bakery. Soon after, they married and started their family. While still in New York, they had two children, Maria and Guiseppe. After moving to Altoona, they had two more boys, Marco and Paolo.

Sal was a beloved member of the Altoona community. As a dad of four growing children, he could be found either at ball games encouraging his kids to play hard, or at home on the couch drinking wine and watching WWE.

After a 27-year career at Fry Metals, Altoona, doing “real work,” he retired and became a fixture at his family’s restaurant, Mama Randazzo’s. He would start most days at 4:30 a.m., prepping the chicken and then end the day sitting at his table or walking around telling stories, eating too much and giving someone a well-intentioned, fun-loving hard time.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Altoona, the Rev. L’ubomir J. Strecok celebrant. Committal will be at Calvary Mausoleum, Altoona. Arrangements are by Santella Funeral Home, Altoona.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Penn State University Four Diamonds Fund (THON) online at www.fourdiamonds.org, or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 511 20th St., Altoona, PA 16602.

santellafuneralhome.com