Santory

David M. Santory, 76, of Butler, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend, a gentleman and a great man.

Born Sept. 23, 1948 in McKeesport, Dave was the son of the late David R. and Elma J. (Roman) Santory. His father was an electrical foreman at the U.S. Steel Clairton Works, and his mother was a wonderful homemaker who excelled as a baker and loved to prepare and serve delicious meals.

Dave was a 1966 graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School. He earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Education in mathematics at California University of Pennsylvania in 1970, a Master of Science in Education in secondary guidance and counseling at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and a Master of Public Management in instruction supervision at Carnegie Mellon University in 1995 — he was first in the class and commencement speaker.

Dave spent his 39-year career in education at the Pine-Richland School District from 1970 to his retirement in 2009. He taught seventh-grade math and eighth-grade advanced algebra at the junior high school for 12 years, then was a high school guidance counselor for his last 27 years. Dave was a favorite math teacher not only because he was a wonderful instructor, but he made the classes and subjects very interesting and fun.

For many years, he was the fantastic director of the annual Junior High School Talent Show. As both a teacher and guidance counselor, Dave made a positive difference in the education, lives and futures of countless students. He was also greatly appreciated and respected by his colleagues in the administration, guidance office and teaching staff as a wonderful person who was extremely intelligent, compassionate, kind and generous with his time and efforts to be of help and support. Dave truly loved being a high school guidance counselor, and it was apparent in everything he did and how he regarded every person — student, parent and colleague.

Dave is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy L. (Beattie) Santory; their daughter, Melissa (Daniel) Anderson, grandson, Cole Anderson, and granddaughter, Alexandra Anderson, all of North Grafton, Mass.; three brothers, James (Reinalyn), Mark and Alan (Linda), all of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County; four nephews and two nieces.

Dave was predeceased by his parents; and sisters-in-law, Denise (Mark) and Ruth (James); as well as Marion, a very dear family friend, who had become like a sister-in-law.

For almost 25 years, Dave and Nancy were blessed to have had many opportunities to travel on ocean cruises and land tours in Alaska, the Mediterranean from Spain to Turkey, the Baltic from Denmark to Russia, England and Scotland to Norway, and a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Land tours were also taken in France and Iceland.

Dave was an avid reader of books and had wide-ranging interests. He was well-informed about current events and an extremely broad range of subjects, about which he enjoyed having long conversations, including his Christian faith. He was a member of Middlesex Presbyterian Church for 45 years and served as an elder.

SANTORY — Family and friends of David M. Santory, who died Thursday, April 17, 2025, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, at Middlesex Presbyterian Church, 116 Church Road, Butler, with the Rev. Kevin M. Bowen officiating. A lunch will follow in the adjacent Christian education building.

In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate that donations in memory of Dave be made to Middlesex Presbyterian Church, 116 Church Road, Butler, PA 16002, or to St. Barnabas Charities, 5850 Meridian Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 in support of their Free Care Fund.

All who knew Dave are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to his unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.