Saturday, January 28, 2012

Nick Santino Dead at 47; Suicide After Euthanizing Dog


A sad story was reported in Saturday's New York Post. Actor Nick Santino, who played small roles on GUIDING LIGHT (Father Soto) and ALL MY CHILDREN (Officer Anton), committed suicide on Tuesday, his 47th birthday, after euthanizing his dog, Rocco.

Friends told the Post that Santino was forced to put his beloved dog to sleep under pressure from his Upper West Side condo and became wracked by grief. Rocco couldn’t ride in the main elevators and wasn’t allowed to be left in the apartment alone for more than nine hours. He was also threatened with a fine by building management because of the dog barking, although neighbors say Rocco wasn't a barker.

The last phone call Santino made was to a former girlfriend at 2 a.m. Wednesday. Later that day, police found his body in his bedroom. He had overdosed on pills.

Santino earned a Masters in Business Administration from St. Peter’s College in 1993, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from NYIT in 1988. He studied for two years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

The actor made an appearance on GOSSIP GIRL in 2011.

UPDATE:
The condo board refuses to accept any responsibility.

“I’m sorry the man is dead,” board member Marilyn Fireman told The Post, “But it has nothing to do with the pet policy.”

His family is going to bury Santino's remains with Rocco's.

According to IMDB, Santino was part of the first team to lead search & rescue on World Trade Center 9-11-2001. He used his ConEdison Engineering ID & Asbestos Certification to gain access.

RELATED:
- Dimitra Arliss Dead at 79
- Ian Abercrombie Dead At 77
- Robert Hegyes Dead At Age 60
- In Memoriam -- Those We Lost in 2011

8 comments:

  1. I don't think I was watching Guiding Light anymore by the time Mr. Santino was on because I don't remember him but nevertheless this is truly sad. He must have been in a very dark place for things to have come to this. Wow. R.I.P.

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  2. wow so sad, that dog rocco was a pit bull sounds like neighbors had issue with breed. Depression is so very difficult to deal with. Yes in a very dark place. RIP

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  3. I feel so extremely badly that Nick Santino felt that he could only choose this route. I'm sorry that he could not pass that beautiful dog on to trusted family members/friends who would have shown the same unconditional warmth & love he himself had shown it.

    RIP, Nick. You & Rocco Can Now Be Forever Reunited In Heaven!

    Brian

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  4. Nick is in heaven with his beloved dog Rocco. It is a shame that the people on the board at the apartment where Nick lived pressured him to have Rocco put to sleep. We live in a world full of hatred and it is only going to get worse until our belove savior returns! God Bless you Nick and Rocco, both of you will be missed by all that knew you.

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  5. Heartbreaking...RIP Nick and Rocco

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  6. The guy could have moved the place was BS to the core

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  7. I would live in my car before I would put down any of my beloved pets. If he loved the dog THAT much he should have just moved. I am sorry he's dead but am more sorry for Rocco, who didn't have a choice in the matter. Nick must have had more issues and maybe he didn't want to leave without his buddy. Very very sad.

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  8. What did Aaron think of the huge Dalmatian you bought? Or was that Christmas?
    Bulldog Puppies

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