James Santilli was the “backbone” of The Owl Cigar Store in Cañon City, said his friend, L. G. Oxford.
For years Santilli, who died June 11 at age 89, ran the famous Main Street store — actually a bar, pool hall and restaurant — with his family.
Oxford knew the family for more than 50 years, first going to the store as a teenager.
He remembered James Santilli throwing him out a few times for “being too loud,” Oxford said.
Oxford and his wife, Dorothy Oxford, and friends have been regulars at The Owl for years, going every Tuesday for an “owl burger.”
In the old days, Oxford said, he “won more money at snooker” in The Owl than he did working as a box-boy at the local supermarket.
The Owl started out in 1901 as a pool hall and sold hunting and fishing gear.
No women went into pool halls in those days.
Now, though two pool tables and a snooker table are still there, The Owl is a family place for burgers and malts.
A favorite burger is one with a fried egg on it. There are also double-double burgers and triple-triple burgers.
Historian Tom Noel called it the “best old-time pool hall in Colorado.”
“And the service is faster than any fast-food place,” he said.
The Owl serves as many as 650 patties a day, said Susan Santilli, James Santilli’s niece.
“Going in is an incredible time warp,” Noel said, with the red booths, red vinyl- covered bar stools and stuffed animals and fish on the walls. The place also has pinball machines. There’s a stuffed owl just inside the door, sitting on a log.
Before a statewide smoking ban in bars, restaurants and most workplaces, The Owl sold cigars, including White Owl Cigars, said Susan Santilli.
James Santilli, called “Uncle James” by friends and family alike, went to The Owl daily until a few months ago.
Always a saver, he told family members, “If you have a dime, save five cents of it.”
His frugality went a long way.
In the 1940s he and his brother bought enough lumber to provide for three “layings,” of The Owl floor, said niece Sandra Santilli.
The current operators — Susan Santilli, Pete Santilli Jr. and Steve Mitchell — plan to use that lumber for a new floor, Sandra Santilli said.
Colorado Preservation Inc. will have a two-day tour of downtown Cañon City and The Owl on Sept. 26 and 27.
Frank Santilli was born in Cañon City on April 1, 1920, and graduated from school there. He served in the Army in World War II, and was among the troops landing at Utah Beach on D-Day.
After the war, he returned to Cañon City to run The Owl with brothers Pete Santilli and Elmer Santilli, which they did for 46 years. He retired in 1989.
James Santilli’s death “is a real changing of the guard,” said Sandra Santilli. “He was the last of that generation.”
The place had been opened by her great-grandfather, Vincent Santilli.
James Santilli married Lena Senatore on Jan. 6, 1955. They had no children.
In addition to her, he is survived by several nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
Inside. Paid obituary notices can be found on Pages 9-10B.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com
