Obituary of Matthew DeSantis REV

WESTFIELD - Rev. Matthew DeSantis, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Absolut Care in Westfield, N.Y. Matthew was reunited with his dear wife, Elizabeth, who died on March 7, 2012. He had resided at 163 Main Street, Westfield, NY. Rev. DeSantis, the son of the late Michele and Pasqualina DeSantis, was born April 7, 1923, in Italy. He emigrated to the U.S. as a 12 year old boy. Matthew graduated from Technical High School in Erie, PA, and was married in 1944. Matthew served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He attended and graduated in 1953 from Central Bible College & Seminary, Springfield, MO. He was ordained into the ministry in 1955 with the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (IFCA). Matthew served as a missionary, along with his wife, in Northern Europe beginning in the year 1953. He was fluent in three languages. By the end of 2007, he and his wife had founded over 100 churches and had crossed the ocean 76 times. Rev. DeSantis also founded and directed the North Europe Advanced Training (NEAT), in the countries of Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Germany, England, and Switzerland. Above all, Rev. DeSantis served His Lord and Savior with passion, devotion, faithfulness, perseverance and sincere love for many years. He is survived by one brother, James and wife Beverly, of New Castle, PA, one sister, Lydia (DeSantis) Olshevski and husband, Rev. Gerald Olshevski of North East, PA, as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Moses and Anthony DeSantis. Friends may call on Friday, March 30, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at The Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street in Westfield. There will be an additional hour of viewing at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 at Lakeshore Assembly of God, 252 East Main Street in Westfield, prior to the service which will take place at 12 noon. Pastor Vincent Sanzo will be officiating. Committal service will be held at the Westfield Cemetery immediately following. Memorials may be made to Lakeshore Assembly of God, 252 East Main Street, Westfield, NY 14787 or Erie Christian Assembly, 2417 Liberty Street, Erie, PA 16502. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the DeSantis family a message of sympathy.