Lifelong Sag Harbor resident Frank Joseph Santacroce dies at 93

Lifelong Sag Harbor resident Frank Joseph Santacroce died on September 30 at Southampton Hospital. He was 93.

Born June 28, 1916, in Sag Harbor to Mary (née Di Beneaetto) and Joseph Santacroce, he attended Pierson High School through the ninth grade, and always remained well informed and well read, family members said. He served in the U.S. Army’s 36th infantry division of the 111th Engineer Company during World War II. He served in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France and Rhineland from December 1942 to October 1945, and was awarded a Purple Heart

He was a member of the American Legion Chelberg & Battle Post 388 since 1945, serving as commander from 1949 to 1950. He also served as chairman of Sag Harbor’s Board of Appeals for 10 years. He worked in the automobile industry in various capacities from 1935 until 2002, when he reluctantly retired at the age of 86 due to failing eyesight.

An active member of St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor, he participated in fund-raising for the church, including working bingo night every Tuesday for 27 years.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Terese (née Tedesco) Santacroce; two sons and their wives, Michael and Colleen Santacroce of Sag Harbor and Peter and Eileen Santacroce of Hampton Bays; two daughters and their husbands, Cathy and Harold Worwetz of Bridgehampton and Susan and Kevin Mandaville of Newfane, New York; six granddaughters, Jennifer, Nina, Anna, Jessica, Katie and Dawn; three grandsons, Kevin, Jeff and Jason; two great-granddaughters, Cody and Bethany; two great-grandsons, Rhys and Ethan; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Pauline (née Hawker) Santacroce and their infant son, Frank Joseph Jr.; two brothers, James and Robert Santacroce; and a sister, Jeanette (née Santacroce) Tedesco.

Visitation was on October 2 at the Yardley & Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor. A funeral mass was held on October 4 at St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor, followed by interment in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to American Legion Chelberg & Battle Post 388, P.O. Box 541, Sag Harbor, NY 11963; John Jermain Library, 201 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963; or Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 2725, Sag Harbor, NY 11963 would be appreciated by the family.