Paul Joseph Desanctis

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Paul Joseph DeSanctis, 34, Reading and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., formerly of Wyomissing, will be celebrated Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.

DeSanctis was killed Dec. 19 when a Chalk's Ocean Airways seaplane crashed off Miami Beach, Fla. He was the first officer and co-pilot.

Born in West Reading, he was a son of Dr. Joseph J. and Barbara (Ehrmann) DeSanctis, Reading.

DeSanctis was employed by the airline since April.

He was a 1990 graduate of Wyomissing High School, where he was a silver medalist in the District 3 shotput competition and a finalist in the state finals.

DeSanctis was an All-Intercounty League offensive lineman of the year in 1989.

He also attended Albright College, where he was a linebacker and offensive lineman.

DeSanctis completed his flight training at Flight Safety International, Vero Beach, Fla., in 2001.

Prior to joining Chalk's, he was doing air-transport flights of transplant organs and blood and other medical samples for Quest Diagnostics, an international provider of diagnostic testing, information and services.

In addition to Albright, DeSanctis also attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and Pennsylvania State University, where he was a member of the championship rugby team.

He is also survived by two sisters, Joanne M. (DeSanctis) Kirk, Chicago, and Patricia L. (DeSanctis) Guiry, Danbury, Conn.