Friends, family, commissioners say goodbye to Albert Santor
SHAMOKIN - It was a simple service for a simple man who cared about one thing in life: helping his fellow man and his community. A somber crowd gathered at Mother Cabrini Church Wednesday morning to pay their respects and say goodbye to Albert Santor, president of the Coal Township Board of Commissioners, who passed away at the age of 71 in Ocean City, Md., Friday.
With his fellow commissioners serving as pallbearers and members of the Coal Township Police and Fire Departments lining the church steps in salute, Santor's casket entered the church as the Rev. Adam Ziolkowski began the funeral service.
In his homily, the assistant pastor said Santor was a guiding light in the world.
"We all know that life is topsy-turvy, and we all want to eradicate the chaos. Sometimes, we look to government to do just that," Ziolkowski said. "That is what Al Santor did, and it was so much a part of who he was and his citizenship to us all."
Using scripture, Ziolkowski illustrated what rewards are awaiting Santor as he passes on.
"St. Paul writes that to be a good citizen in heaven, you need to be a good citizen on Earth. Al showed that in his service to the community," he said. "We pray that for all the good works he did on Earth, he reaches his heavenly home and becomes a good citizen there as well."
Wednesday morning's service was simple, and approximately 75 people, including Santor's friends, relatives and co-workers in Coal Township government, attended to say goodbye.
As the casket, draped in the off-white religious cloth, was wheeled down the aisle following Mass, the congregation sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Down the steps, once again, police and fire officers lined the center aisle as the commissioners escorted Santor's casket to the hearse.
With police vehicles, Coal Township Rescue trucks and the East End Fire Company truck leading the way, Santor was driven to his final resting place, the Northumberland Memorial Park in Stonington.
Santor was serving his second term on the Coal Township Board of Commissioners, where he was president.
For more than 50 years, Santor was part of public service, heading up the Northumberland County Board of Elections for 32 years and serving as former Kulpmont Borough treasurer, borough council member and council president.
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