Nello Santacroce

1927 - 2015

Nello Elio Paul Santacroce

Jan. 31, 1927 - June 20, 2015

Resident of Aptos

Nello Elio Paul Santacroce, born January 31, 1927 to John and Agatha Santacroce in Abruzzo, Italy passed to our Lord on June 20, 2015 with Pamela, his wife of 32 years and Juan Silva, trusted friend and employee, at his bedside.

In 1934, Nello, his mother and four siblings immigrated to America. Nello's father, John, and eldest brother, Mario, immigrated adhead of Mussolini's grip on Italy and were waiting in the depression of 1934 to welcome the rest of the family.

Nello graduated high school, received his citizenship and was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 12, 1945. He was sent to Italy and served in Naples at a POW camp and salvage company.

Nello graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1951 and married Jean Noies. They moved to California; his siblings and his parents joining him later.

Nello's entrepreneurial skills flourished in California. He sold appliances, owned appliance distributors and then transitioned to construction and land development as ""The Santacroce Brothers"". The fun of the challenge, ""the deal"", was what caused Nello to develop properties in Palm Springs, Sacramento, Grass Valley, Concord, Sunnyvale, Silicon Valley and finally throughout Santa Cruz County.

Nello was truly an entrepreneur in Santa Cruz where he owned and operated Coastal Nursery, Stateco Insurance and a jewelry business. He also developed, owned and operated a mini storage company in Gilroy.

Nello was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean; siblings, Mario, Fred, Elsa, Irma and Victoria; parents, John and Agatha. He is survived by his daughters, Dea Santacroce and Jan Santacroce and wife, Pam. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Mission Santa Clara de Asisi at Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA on Friday June 26, 2015 beginning at 10:00 am. Viewing hours will be at the Mission at 9:00 am until service time and at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA on Thursday June 25, 2015 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A private interment will take place at Oakhill Memorial Park, San Jose, CA.

In lieu of flowers contributions are prefered to Dominican Hospital Foundation, 1555 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95065 or to Santa Clara University Scholarship Program, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053.