Benedict M. Santacroce of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, died Sept. 12, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 26 years old.
Born Jan. 14, 2000, at home in Southold, he was the son of Lorraine M. (Doskoez) and James R. Santacroce and was one of 10 children. A Southold native, he later lived in Sullivan County and Coos County, New Hampshire, before settling in Cheshire County. Nonverbal and autistic since age 12, his family said he communicated love, strength and resilience that transcended words and that he faced recent health struggles with bravery that united his family. He was a member of the Eastern Rite Old Catholic Church.
He is survived by his parents, Lorraine and James; his brothers, James Jr., Robert, Gregory, Adam, Malachi and Patrick, all of Westmoreland; his sisters, Olivia Begin and Rebecca Williams, both of Westmoreland, and Brittany Tafur of Shelton, Connecticut; his grandmother, Barbara Santacroce of Southold; and his grandparents, Robert and Rochelle Doskoez of New Port Richey, Florida. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and his nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. Graveside services were held Wednesday, Sept. 16, at St. Patrick’s RC Cemetery in Southold, officiated by Father James R. Santacroce.
