Don Santini, the legendary Fairport V football coach, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 85, leaving his longtime wife and family devastated.
The late Don Santini, who began his head coaching journey at his alma mater, Fairport High School’s varsity football team, Red Raiders, in 1975, became Fairport’s winningest coach in Section V Football history.
During his nearly two decades in Fairport High School, from 1975 to 1992, Don led the Red Raiders to seven Section V championships and two state titles.
Moreover, he became the first coach in Section V football history to reach 200 career wins, with 206 victories in total, which ranks fourth on the all-time list.
Don Santini was inducted into Section V Football Hall of Fame for his exceptional coaching skills as part of its second induction class in 1999 and into Fairport Central School District’s Alumni Wall of Fame in 2001.
He was also named in 2024 to the inaugural class of Fairport’s Red Raider Athletic Hall of Fame.
Before Fairport, Santini coached at LeRoy High School from 1966-1974.
Similarly, Don played football at SUNY Brockport, where he is a member of the college’s Sports Hall of Fame.
He played for the men’s varsity football team at SUNY Brockport from 1957 to 1961 and became co-captain in 1960.
In response to his demise, many of his loved ones and students are sending their heartfelt condolences to Santini’s family during this difficult situation.
Don Santini is survived by his longtime wife, Patricia ‘Pat’ Lane Santini, and his entire family
The late Don Santini was not only an amazing coach but also a great husband to his longtime wife, Patricia, aka Pat Santini.
The couple was happily married for over six decades and spent their adventurous life together in Fairport until Don’s last breath.
Don and his longtime wife Pat raised three children, Pamela ‘Pam,’ Michael, and Tom Santini, to be successful in their respective fields.
Although very little information about Pat’s professional life is available, she often shares glimpses of their happy life on her Facebook page.
Talking about their children, Don and Pat Santini’s only daughter, Pam, lives in Fairport, New York, with her two kids, Tyler and Makenzi Santini, and has been serving as the customer service representative at Wegmans Food Markets.
Both Tyler and Makenzi followed in their maternal grandfather, Don Santini’s, footsteps in sports, participating in multiple sports during high school and college.
His granddaughter Makenzi played lacrosse for the Mustangs while attending SUNY Morrisville.
Makenzi also played lacrosse at Fairport High School and won several honorable titles, including the New York State Championship and National Championship.
Don and Pat Santini’s son, Tom Santini, has two children, Paige and Jack Santini, with his wife, Amy Lute Santini.
However, no information about Tom’s professional life is available as he prefers to maintain a low profile and is inactive on social media.
Furthermore, Don Santini’s other son, Michael Santini, is an entrepreneur; he is the owner of Santini Stoneworking Company.
Michael’s Facebook page displays that he is also the president of The Marley Group, graduated from Fairport High School, and currently lives in Rochester, New York.
Don Santini’s family has not yet shared details about his memorial and funeral services.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Don Santini graduated from Fairport High School in 1957 and SUNY College in 1961, majoring in health and physical education.
- While coaching at Fairport High School, Don was named Coach of the Year in 1977, 1981, and 1985, and he also received the All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year award in 1977.
