Obituary of Martin (Tino) Santini

August 25, 2021

Martin Lawrence Santini, Jr., known as Tino, a man whose business acumen and artistic talents were exceeded only by his personal magnetism, died peacefully on August 25th of an aggressive glioblastoma brain tumor. Tino accomplished each project, hobby and new interest with ridiculous ease and infectious enthusiasm. He designed and built magnificent dry stone walls for family members, studied cooking in Italy with his sisters and learned the art of glassblowing at Urban Glass in Brooklyn. He was an industry leader with more than 50 years of experience in commercial moving. He was 69 years old.

Tino was born into an ambitious and successful Italian immigrant family, creators of the highly regarded and widely recognized Seven Santini Brothers Moving Company, founded in New York City by his great uncles in 1905. His grandfather, Martino, the youngest of the brothers, joined them in 1907. For 80 years, the company grew into one of the world's largest moving, packing and shipping organizations. Tino was named President in 1986, managing an international company with nearly 1000 employees.

In 1988, when the Seven Santini Brothers Company was sold, Tino stayed in the moving business, becoming a highly successful Account Executive for Central Moving and Storage, gaining important new clients such as the United Nations. They moved 5,000 people, one million square feet of office space, and the Dag Hammarskjold Library, returning them three years later to the renovated complex.

In 2015, he and his partner, John Lappetito, bought Central Moving and continued to specialize in complex relocations. In the first month of the Pandemic, the company moved beds and ventilators into hospitals. Tino tracked down masks and gloves for his men and carefully guided them through unknown territory.

Born on November 21, 1951 in the Bronx, he was the "best beloved" son of Doris "Butzie" Hughes Santini and Martin L. "Big Marty" Santini, the Executive Vice President of the Seven Brothers company, in charge of the International Division. He was their first son in what would become a family of six children, living in Yonkers in the early 1950s and in Hastings-on-Hudson from 1958 – 1986. He graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School, earned a BA in Mathematics from St. Bonaventure University and an MA in Mathematics from Fordham University.

In 1976, Tino married his college sweetheart, Colleen Cunningham. Their daughter, Maisie, joined the family soon after. Together they enjoyed learning to make Chinese food, eating pizza at Sam's, making wine "mess up the head red" and summering in the Hamptons with the Santinis. During these years he became a Master pie baker and a stained glass artist. Colleen died in 2005 after a long illness. Maisie, married Greg Hansen in 2005 and Tino's namesake Martin Santini Hansen was born in 2008, followed by William Phillip Hansen in 2010.

Introduced by a mutual friend, Tino met Laura Young in 2006. They were a lively and loving team and married in 2008. They honeymooned aboard the tall ship, the Sea Cloud II, crossing the Atlantic despite Tino's propensity toward seasickness. In the following years, they traveled often to exotic places around the world.

He introduced Laura to gourmet cooking, gardening, and the joys of
being a grandparent. She took Tino to live theater weekly, and he accompanied
her to Metropolitan Opera rehearsals and filmings, enjoying her 15 years of work
as an Editor of the television broadcasts.

Tino is survived by his wife, Laura, daughter, Maisie, son-in-law Greg Hansen, and grandsons Marty and Will; his brothers, sisters and their spouses: Mimi Santini-Ritt and Roger Ritt, David and Susan Santini, Lolly Santini Katz and Syd Katz, Steve and Lisa Santini, LTC(R) John "Chooie" and Mary Santini; and his nieces and nephews, Evan and David Ritt, Michele Katz, Marc and Debbie Katz, Stephen and Nicholas Santini, and Sammi Santini.

He will be greatly missed by Laura's family: her parents, Paul and JoAnn Young; her siblings, Julie Bensley and Paul Young, Tim Bensley and Betsy Young; and by Colleen's family, her siblings Mary K and John Reynolds, and Elizabeth Fox, and by many nieces, nephews, cousins and their spouses.

Tino will be forever remembered by a multitude of friends and business associates, with longtime close relationships that reach back to neighborhood pals, college 'Rally' friends, and any person who ever spent time in his charismatic presence.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Urban Glass. Tino enjoyed many hours in the hot shop at Urban Glass making bowls and vases among other artistic endeavors. This money will go towards educating young artists which Tino was passionate about. Please mail donations to the address below and indicate that it is in honor of Tino Santini,
Donations :
Urban Glass - Ruth Kaplan
Interim Director of Development
647 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Link for livestream:
https://youtu.be/Agbn5WwifTw

Funeral Services

Visitation

August 30, 2021

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

August 30, 2021

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Greenwich Village Funeral Home

199 Bleecker Street

New York, NY 10012

Get Directions

Share a Memory

The Obituaries are currently being upgraded. Please contact us to report any issues.

Dear Laura and Family, I was very sad to hear of Tino's passing. I am sending all my love, thoughts and prayers your way.

Love, Cindy


Posted by: Cindy Davis - Gatlinburg, TN - August 28, 2021

Dear Lolly and all of Tino’s family,
I was lucky enough to be Lolly’s roommate in college and can honestly say no party really started until Tino got there. What a great guy and I have such wonderful memories.
I’m so very sorry for your loss.


Posted by: Jeanne Windbiel - , - August 28, 2021

What a full and exciting life Tino led! While we did not know him as well as some, you can always get a sense of a person from how others speak of them. Tino always came across as a fun and vibrant soul, and we know he will be deeply missed.

Everyone who loved Tino has our deepest sympathies, and we hope that they find peace and comfort in the wonderful memories he leaves behind.

Our deepest condolences,
Lee & Laura Bugbee


Posted by: Laura & Lee Bugbee - , - August 27, 2021

Sorry for the loss of Tino. I have fond memories of my cousin. The Benedetti family wishes condolences to the Santini family.


Posted by: Jack Benedettii - Hudson falls, NY - August 30, 2021

Saddened by the loss of my friend Tino, a real gentleman , and a very
good man. He is in my prayers.


Posted by: Thomas Downs - new rochelle, NY - August 30, 2021

Sorry for your loss Ron and Kathy


Posted by: Linda Peck Peck - Lighthouse Point, FL - August 31, 2021

My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to the family of this remarkable, accomplished and Talented cousin Tino Santini. Géraldine Santini and family from Lucca, Italy.


Posted by: Geraldine Santini - Lucca, NY - September 1, 2021

Tino was an amazing man. I was lucky enough to work with him for about 25 years. He was honest, caring, and loved his family. I got to know him so well, and his passion for life and his family was amazing.
Tino God Bless you in heaven, you will be missed.

My deepest condolences to Laura his wife, Masie his daughter, and his entire family.

Terri Manolescu


Posted by: Terri Manolescu - Old Bridge, NJ - January 6, 2022
Greenwich Village Funeral Home is a Member of:

Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association LogoNational Funeral Directors Association LogoGreen Burial Council LogoGreenwich Village Chamber of Commerce LogoPrePlan LogoCFF LogoCANA Logo