Edward 'Ed' Santa

Edward “Ed” Santa, of Kennesaw, Georgia was called home to the Lord, on July 15, 2022 at the age of 85.

Ed was born on June 22, 1937 in Providence, Rhode Island after his father, Arthur Santa and mother, Jessie Santa, both deceased, immigrated to the United States. They later relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where Ed attended and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School and went on to get his Degree in Dentistry from Loyola University, Chicago.

Upon graduation Ed enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. He retired from Ft. Richardson Alaska in 1988 with the rank of Colonel. During his time in the Army he was assigned to Kagnew Station, Asmara, Ethiopia and Supreme Headquarter Allied Powers Europe ( SHAPE ) near Mons, Belgium among many others, and was highly decorated during the time he proudly served his country which he loved.

Upon retiring from the Army, he returned to Kennesaw, Georgia where he opened a dental practice close to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital on Vann Street. He would go on to work for the Cobb County Jail after his second retirement, giving emergency treatment only, to the inmates and was made an Honorary Sheriff.

Dr. Santa also started a support group for families and friends of those who suffer from the disease of alcohol and addiction in the greater Cobb County area.

Being a man of faith, he would later be called and chosen to be part of the Deaconal Formation Program in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta and ordained a Deacon.

Ed was once an avid runner, logging many miles and marathons. He also enjoyed biking, and salmon fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, his daughters, Lisa Cook (Kris) Marietta, Georgia Suzanna Jacob ( Dave ) Valley,Alabama, Cynthia Johns ( Kirk ), Monticello, Georgia, Sheila Peeler ( Mark ) Midland, Georgia, a son, Shaun Whitmer (Sara) Decatur, Georgia grandchildren, Sarah Georgiades (Jon), Caroline Bordes (Ian), Ethan Cook, Julian Peeler, Oliver Whitmer, Leo Walker, Alex Walker, Rufus Walker, great grandson Luke Bordes, and a brother, Raymond “ Ray “ Santa (Margaret), Clarksville,Georgia.

Funeral Mass will be at 1:00 pm on August 1, 2022 at Transfiguration Catholic Church,1815 Blackwell Road, Marietta, Georgia, with reception following in Bishop Hall.

A burial with military honors will be held on August 8, 2022 at 9 am at The Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr., Canton, Georgia.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to The Alzheimer’s Association.

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