Jack Santarossa was born in 1931 in Porcia (Pordenone) Italy. He came to Canada in 1951, sponsored by an uncle in Windsor. He originally went to Windsor to work in a car plant (GM) who were on strike upon his arrival. His uncle knew a general contractor at CFB North Bay who at the time were building the hangers at the Airport. Jack spent 2 years helping build the hangers and moved on to work for a company called Stanton Plastering where he learned his trade as a plaster.

Jack would end up moving on after only 3 years to start his own plastering business (Santarossa
Plastering). He would send for his older brother Marco, and they formed a company called Santarossa Bros. Plastering. As the company started to grow, he sent for another brother Virgino to join the ranks. A few years later 2 more brothers came to Canada and followed in Jacks footsteps.

While in North Bay Jack boarded with his future mother in-law Mary Dicario where he met his future wife Florancé together they raised 3 boys, John, Gary and Rob. John went on to become a travel agent in Ottawa, Gary became at teacher in Brampton and Rob took over the family business, which he ran for 33 years before moving on to a roll in sales and is now the branch manager at a well-established business called OCP.

Jack and his friends were avid bocce players and were responsible for building the bocce courts at the back of the Davedi club. They were involved in a competitive league with other Italian clubs across Northern Ontario (Sudbury, Copper Cliff, Sault Ste Marie.

Jack and his company did the stucco on the outside of the Davedi Club during the clubs first expansion, his son Rob later did the new stucco which is on the outside of the Davedi club today.

Jack was also an avid bowler in his younger years and became 2-time Northern Ontario champion in 1965 -66. He donated numerous trophies that he had won to youth bowling.

Jack also had a long history of involvement with Davedi Soccer. Playing in his earlier years and then coaching numerous teams. Many players that he coached still keep in contact with him today.

Jack is currently 93 years old and now resides at Cassell Home