Pat Santucci

Pat Santucci
Date of birth: 1924
Date of death: October 30, 1992 (aged 68)
Place of death: Burlington, Ontario
Career information
Position(s): Tackle
Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
Organizations
As player:
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947-48
1949
1950		 Hamilton Flying Wildcats
St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy
Montreal Hornets
Toronto Argonauts
Hamilton Tigers
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards
CFL East All-Star: 1948
CFL West All-Star: 1949
Honors: Grey Cup champion - 1943, 44, 46

Pat Santucci was an all-star and Grey Cup champion Canadian football player, playing from 1943 to 1950.[1]

Santucci would begin his well traveled football career with the Hamilton Flying Wildcats in 1943, winning the Grey Cup that season. His next year was spent with the St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy squadron, winning yet another Cup. He owns the unique distinction of being the only player to win 2 Grey Cups with armed service teams.

The end of the war found Santucci with the Montreal Hornets in 1945, but it was the move to the Toronto Argonauts in 1946 that got him his third sip from Earl Grey's mug in four seasons. He played 11 regular season and 2 playoff games with the Scullers.[2]

Some of his finest years were still ahead of him. Two years with the Hamilton Tigers saw him selected as an all-star in 1948. In 1949 he moved west, again an all-star with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. His career ended in 1950 and fittingly, for a former Hamilton Wildcat and Tiger, he played with the inaugural Hamilton Tiger-Cats team.

Santucci was also and effective kicker throughout his career. In one memorable game, the Tigers won 14-8, with Santucci scoring all Hamilton points. He kicked two field goals and blocked a punt which he recovered for a touchdown. He also tackled an opposing runner for a safety.[3][4]

Santucci, owner of Santucci Travel with his daughters (Patricia, Barbara, Deborah), served as president of the Burlington Minor Football Association and was an original director of the Burlington International Games.[5]

He died of cancer in October 1992.[6][7]

References

  1. ↑ FANBASE entry: Pat Santucci
  2. ↑ Toronto Argonauts All-Time Roster to 2012
  3. ↑ Hamilton Tigers Top Rough Riders 14 to 8 - Santucci Leads Scoring Thrusts of Victors Windsor Daily Star, October 27, 1947
  4. ↑ Santucci a Tiger who earned his stripes - Football star of 1940s loses battle to cancer by David Churchill, Hamilton Spectator, October 31, 1992
  5. ↑ Ibid.
  6. ↑ Pat Santucci dead at age 68 Hamilton Spectator, October 31, 1992
  7. ↑ Santucci a Tiger who earned his stripes Football star of 1940s loses battle to cancer: [Burlington Edition] Churchill, David. The Hamilton Spectator [Hamilton, Ont] 31 Oct 1992: T1.