Joseph Santacroce of Sag Harbor Dies March 28

Joseph Santacroce of Sag Harbor died on March 28 at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care on Quiogue. He was 93.

Santacroce was a retired carpenter and U.S. Air Force veteran, past member of the Chelberg & Battle VFW Post in Sag Harbor, a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a native of Sag Harbor and lived most of his life in the community.

He was born on October 1, 1931, to Nicholas Santacroce and Anna Gaudino Santacroce in Southampton, and was the eldest of three children. In the summers as a young teen, he would hitchhike to East Hampton to caddy at the Maidstone Club along with his cousin Edward Molinari. He married a local girl — Margaret “Peggy” Hildreth — to whom he was married almost 70 years until she died in 2023. He was graduated from Pierson High School and was one of the last remaining members of the Class of 1949.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and while in the service, was trained as a fine instrument repairman — working on and inspecting altimeters, air speed indicators, gyro indicators and other components of the aircraft system. He was stationed in Panama during the Korean conflict and was later discharged at the rank of Airman First Class.

Santacroce also worked for a while at the Bulova Watchcase Factory, learning to repair watch bezels and cases before they were assembled. He found employment later with Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut and after some time, returned to his hometown. He found work as a carpenter’s apprentice with Wesley C. Miller General Contractor helping to build homes in the Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor area. He was later employed for a time with Michael Witty — a master craftsman and builder, where Santacroce learned the foundations of the trade, which he would use in the future.

After leaving Witty’s employ, he was hired for a job he would be at for the next 40 years — with Pat Trunzo General Contracting. In the earlier years with Trunzo, he worked on residences from Shelter Island to Amagansett. They completed one of the largest projects in the Hamptons with the renovation of the Maidstone Club in East Hampton. He worked on many high-end residential and commercial properties in and around the East End.

Santacroce was a perfectionist at his craft and took exceptional pride in the work he did, both in his profession and in his personal life. He raised his family in a house he built himself near Pierson High School. Many who worked with him would refer to him as an exceptionally talented carpenter and a great guy.

As a kid, and into his 50s, he enjoyed fishing, clamming and scalloping, and after his retirement he focused most of his time at home with his wife, beloved dog Honey and his grandchildren.

He is survived by his sister Theresa Santacroce McMahon of Amagansett; son Joseph N. Santacroce of Sag Harbor; daughter Marla Santacroce of East Moriches; grandchildren Joseph Santacroce Jr. (Erin Rice), Brianna Hand Hartman (Cody), Katelyn Hand, Jenna Roesel Wolny (Nick); and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Bernadette Greene.

A memorial service is planned for 13:30 p.m. on April 12 at St. Andrews’ RC Church in Sag Harbor, with interment in St. Andrews’ cemetery afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to Sag Harbor Helpers, the Sag Harbor Ambulance Corps or Disabled American Veterans.