Santo Formica

Santo Dominick Formica, 84, of Sherwood, passed away Friday, May 11, 2007. He was born January 2, 1923 in San Pier Niceto, Sicily, to Rosario & Concetta Formica. Santo was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Governor?s Advisory Council on Aging, V.A. Volunteer Service Committee-Fort Roots, Circolo Italiano Club-Charter member and past President. He finished his Animal Science Degree at Purdue and then obtained a Master?s in Nutritional Science at Cornell University. Later in life, he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Anthropology from UALR. Mr. Formica was a World War II Veteran, author of three cookbooks and was featured in Southern Living Magazine. He was instrumental in the building of Bocce Courts at Burns Park and McArthur Park. He received many awards including: The Eisenhower Award for Volunteerism 2001, Senior Arkansas Hall of Fame 2002, Central Arkansas Culinary Hall of Fame 2003, Baptist Health Amazing Spirit Award 2005, Easter Seals Service Awards and an Honorary Citizen of Ragusa.

Santo is preceded in death by his wife Mabel Wheeler Formica and his parents Rosario and Concetta Formica. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Connie and Bob Crisp of Fayetteville, AR; Ross and Linda Formica of Flowery Branch, GA; Vickie and Dwight Benton of Hot Springs, AR; Rebecca and Bill Cordell of Louisville, CO; and Sandi J. Formica of Little Rock, AR, and his sister and her spouse: Catherine Snalier and Robert Snalier of Westbury, NY. His grandchildren and their spouses: Shawn & Kristi Solloway; Michael Solloway; Aaron Solloway; Tama and Chris Carter; Mindy and Chris Howe; Concetta and Charles Murphy; Tyler and Veronica Benton; Jeff and Sara Benton; Dan Benton; Alex Cordell; and Will Cordell. His great grandchildren: Tanner, Caroline, Savannah, and Ella Solloway; Kalyn and Mattie Carter; Elizabeth and Charles Murphy; Tristen Benton; and Alley Keen and Delanie Benton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will be in Arkansas State Veteran?s Cemetery. The Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday at North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel and Cremation Service, 1921 Main, 758-1170. Online obituary and guest register at www.northlittlerockfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mabel & Santo Formica Endowment and Scholarship Fund at UALR or Arkansas Easter Seals.