Former Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino, whose decades of community service left a lasting legacy, passed away last week after battling illness. He was 64.
By Arvind Vora
Many people have anointed Anthony Santino, popularly known as Tony, as an Honorary Indian. He is perhaps the most well-known elected official among South Asians to have graced more than a dozen events hosted by Indian organizations. For more than 25 years, he relentlessly attended every Indian event, be it business openings or Diwali, Independence Day, Holi, Indiafest, annual events honoring prominent persons, Gandhi Jayanti... Tony would be there year after year with his photographer in tow.
(L-R) Ratna Bhalla, Dr Sunil Mehta, Ambassador Mulay, Anthony Santino, Arvind Vora, Varinder Bhalla, and Mohinder Taneja during the 2014 Independence Day celebration.
(L-R) NYS Assemblyman Andrew Raia, Arvind Vora, and Anthony Santino during Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in 2006.
People appreciated him mailing photos - old timers remember black and white professional quality photos till the 1990s, and thereafter color photos, be it five photos or fifty, but everyone got a picture with him.
He loved Indian culture, diversity, food, and being part of dynamic people with good nature and gentleness. I have said too often while introducing him that he has been to just about every Indian restaurant on Long Island and could eat very spicy food, with green chilies, peppers, and onions on the side.
(L-R) Kashi Batheja, Rita Batheja, Jean Kelly Executive, Anthony Santino, Peter Bheddah, Dorothy Bheddah, Nasrin G Ahmad, Town Clerk, and Indu Jaiswal at the 2014 interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) Ball at Marriott Uniondale.
2003 Indian-Pakistani Lawyers Networking at Akbar Restaurant: (L-R) Jaspreet Mayall, Family Court Judge Kenneth S Diamond, Anthony Santino, E M Stephen, and Michael Alonge, Former District Court Judge.
Perhaps the most important thing to him was the diversity of faiths. He attended many events of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum. One of the signature projects he was proud of was the 9/11 Memorial at Lido Beach. At its opening ceremony, he asked me, as the Chairman of Long Island Multi-Faith Forum, to have the peace prayers from half a dozen faiths. Even at 8 o’clock early in the morning on a weekday, the vast, spacious Lido beach was jam-packed, and solemn prayers were well received.
2004 India’s Republic Day celebration for the first time at Hempstead Town Hall: (L-R) Donald Calvin Jr, Tax Receiver, James Darcy, Councilman, Dr Pramthesh Rath, Consul General, Kate Murray Supervisor, Bhushan K Agnihotri, Ambassador at Large, Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman, Anthony Santino, and Edward Ambrosino, Councilman.
2004 Diwali at Gujarati Samaj Hall: (L-R) Jyotindra Patel, Hiralal Patel, Peter Bheddah, Anthony Santino, Bharati Desai, and Vishnubhai Patel - all past presidents of the Samaj.
Our friendship was very close. He was always curious and inquisitive about people, languages, religions, organizations, and in me, he found trust and unbiased opinions. He trusted me to have all his photos taken with Indians. Our friendship began even before he was elected as a Councilman of the Town of Hempstead. He became Senior Councilman and then Supervisor of the largest town in the USA. His health took a turn for the worse over the last six years, and he would confide in me that his dream of visiting India remained unfulfilled. He took his last breath on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at a young age of 64 years. May his soul remain in perpetual peace.
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(Arvind Vora has been an active member of the Indian community for more than 50 years, and has held various positions in civic and religious organizations. Currently, he is Chairman of Long Island Multi-Faith Forum and founder and key volunteer of Shanti Fund.)
(All photos provided by Arvind Vora)
