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Christopher Michael "Chris" Santacroce
5/27/1981 - 7/5/2024
FUNERAL HOME
Christopher Santacroce Obituary
Chris graduated from Ledyard High School in 2000, where he played football and was on the wrestling team. He had a big role in many of the wrestling teams State Championships. Up until his passing, you could often catch him and his boys reminiscing about their days on the mat, and laughing about some of Chris's "signature moves." Whenever Chris had free time, you would find him on his beloved boat spending quality time and making lasting memories with his family and the "BPP," his boat crew. After graduating, Chris held a few different jobs before choosing the career he loved as an operational manager at Brand Services. In 2017, he met his love Lora Lee Santacroce (Clemons). Chris and Lora married June 18, 2022, and happily united their family of five children: Anthony, Dominic, and Rocco Santacroce; and his stepchildren, Lea and Mark Hatch. His children and stepchildren were his life. Besides his wife, parents and children, he is survived by his sister Rachel Fletcher (Ralph); and his sister Deborah Santacroce, all of Ledyard; also his father and mother-in-law, Steve and Donna Clemons of Montville; along with their large family and countless other friends and family; also his dog Izzy. Chris was predeceased by his brother James V. Santacroce; and his fiancée Rachael Harma. Chris will be incredibly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His high energy personality was like none other. All our lives will be a little quieter without his presence.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, July 13, at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street. Interment will be in Smith Lake Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, July 12. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory of Chris with the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Santacroce
Sponsored by Byles-Groton Memorial Home - Groton.
Will & Gina Servedio
August 5, 2024
Our hearts reach out to all Chris' family and friends . We got to know Chris when he moved next door to us on Lincoln. We moved in 2020 and only just heard this painful news. At the end of my mom's life, Chris came to my rescue as my sister and I had to move an extremely heavy mechanical queen bed frame and mattress out of her room to make space for a hospital bed arriving momentarily. All I had to do is mention I needed help and Chris dropped everything to get the job done. That's the kind of guy he was. So sorry we missed his funeral services. Condolences to all, Will and Gina Servedio
I will cherish every single moment I´ve spent with you! I miss you beyond words. I love you forever and always, my sweet love <br />Forever yours, <br />Your Wife Lora
Lora Lee Santacroce
July 25, 2024
Michael Munger
July 17, 2024
Deepest condolences to the family for their loss. My family got to know Chris through our kids going to school and playing sports together. He will be missed by many people.
Ledyard Wrestlers, State Class L Champs
Charlie Ewers
July 13, 2024
Lora, may you and your family and friends lend support and comfort to each other during this difficult time. Losing Chris is a tragedy. He was strong, passionate and loyal. His friendship with my late son Dan spanned nearly thirty years. Chris is at the center of the photo I sent with Coach Murphy behind him, Dan to his left, and Tony Marshall before him holding the State Class Championship plaque. Their extraordinary effort is etched in shiners, scrapes and bruises. Their joy overcomes their exhaustion. I know that the joy he brought into so many lives will live on. May he rest in peace. You are in my thoughts.
Kent Ward
July 13, 2024
My sincere condolence to the family and to all his friends.
I had the pleasure of coaching Chris and enjoyed every moment I had with him.
I know how much he will be missed by many.
Michele Silva (Former Burroughs)
July 11, 2024
My condolences to Chris's family and friends. He was a great person and helped me out a few times in the past when I needed help, and never asked for anything. You will be missed
Allyson Sprinkel
July 11, 2024
Chris was one of one. He is very much a part of all my craziest and most fun high school memories. I’m so sorry and sending love to his family and close friends.
Patty Nott
July 11, 2024
I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words for the loss of a child, no matter how old. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest condolences.
Cheryl and Mark Mundell
July 11, 2024
Jimmy, Roselle and family, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Chris. May the special memories that you all made together help you through this most difficult time. Peace and prayers.
Heather Bonelli
July 11, 2024
You've always been such a beautiful soul Chris, full of light and laughter. Fly high and watch over those beautiful children of yours... Rest in peace brother ❤
Lisa Markiewicz
July 11, 2024
Sending my deepest sympathies to Chris' family and friends. Love and light to all of you.
Joe koehler
July 10, 2024
Chris was a fun young man that I was blessed to coach. In those HS year’s Football was something Chris needed, he and his “crew” I have fond memories of. Praying for finding peace and calm during this time.
July 10, 2024
Rest in peace and as a neighbor I’ll be looking out for the children.
Lisa Mcquillan
July 10, 2024
Chris you will be missed dearly. You were like a brother to me and Tanessa's uncle. You'll be loved always by both of us. Til we meet again❤
Liz Freeman
July 10, 2024
My sincere condolences to all the family members. I knew Chris through my son Christopher Freeman (and I also knew Jimmy from my job as an aide at Ledyard Middle School). Both were really good kids at heart. Chris came to stay with us for awhile while in high school. He was such a good kid. So polite and helpful while with us. He even helped me blacktop our driveway, something neither of my own sons helped with! A really good, kind and helpful kid. I am very sad at his loss and my sympathy goes out to his family.
Corinne W
July 10, 2024
I met Chris when my now ex-boyfriend used to work together at Brand. Chris was always so nice and such a sweet person. I was happy for him when I saw he had gotten married. Prayers to Lora and his family. R.I.P Chris
Joe Deschenes
July 10, 2024
My condolences to the Santacroce family. I remember Wrestling Chris in the yard at Pachaug. Yea he was full it. So young, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Marcia Agripino Sanchez
July 10, 2024
Rest in paradise homie
Linda Cady
July 10, 2024
Oh Roselle, I am so very sorry for loss. I have no words.
Linda
PETER DEVEAU
July 10, 2024
FIRST MAY I EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHIES TO HIS IMMEDIATE AND FULL FAMILY.I MET CHRIS WHEN MY SON WILL WRESTLED WITH THE LEDYARD WRESTLING CLUB.CHRIS WAS A TOP TIER WRESTLER WITH AN AGGRESSIVE STYLE.OFF THE MAT HE WAS A NICE YOUNG MAN AND I ENJOYED HIS COMPANY. AND HIS WRESTLING SKILLS.MAY HIS MEMORY NEVER FADE INTO THE SUNSET BUT ALWAYS SHINE LIKE THE SUN.REST IN PEACE CHAMP.
Barbara Comstock-King
July 10, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you.
Michael N.
July 10, 2024
My deepest condolences to the entire Santacroce family. Rest in Power, Chris.
Shawn Waldron
July 9, 2024
I am so very sorry for your loss
Donna Jean Breton
July 9, 2024
My deepest sympathy to Lora Lee and the children and all of Chris’s family and friends ❤
Eugene and AK
July 9, 2024
Akash and I will forever remember our trip to Dominican Republic about 10 years ago where we met Chris and spent many hours at the beach and beyond getting to know him and his family. His larger than life personality is what drew us closer to him. After the trip, we remained connected for next few years. We are so lucky to have met him again in 2022, but we never imagined that would be the last time we would meet. Chris was a proud father to all his kids kids and loving and caring friend to us. Chris, we will miss you dearly. To Chris's wife Lora, to the kids and to his family (father, mother, sister, brother) we are devastated by your irreplaceable loss. We are thinking of you and wishing you hope, comfort and peace.
Tammey Texter
July 9, 2024
Christopher was a sweet person ,,,,I only met him one time at his parents place last year .... My heart goes out to the parants and the family of Christopher and he RIP ...
Brenda Ruutel
July 9, 2024
My heart breaks for all of you , both sides of the family especially his wife Lora and the kids . I never new him . I’m just use to seeing his face on Facebook as they all gathered on there boats and what not . Again my deepest condolences to all of you during this difficult time
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