Vernon Obituary: Dewey Santacroce III, 60

Dewey Louis Santacroce III, also known as ‘Charlie’, 60, of Windsor Locks and formerly of Vernon, beloved husband of 29 years to Marjorie (Jones) Santacroce, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Hartford Hospital with his loving family at his side.

Born in Flushing, NY, the son of Dewey L. and Claire M. (Joseph) Santacroce Jr. of Vernon, Dewey grew up in Vernon before moving to Windsor Locks in 1989.

In addition to his wife and parents, Dewey is survived by his five siblings and their spouses, Debbie and Michael Tilley of Marshfield, MA, Michael and Dale Santacroce of Chesapeake, VA, Mary Claire (Santacroce) Jenkins of East Windsor, Janet and Mason Thrall, and James and Anita Santacroce of Vernon, and numerous nieces and nephews who cherished their ‘Uncle Dew’, many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends, especially Bruce and Sue Taylor, Jim West and his long time trusted aide and friend, Nelly Rodriguez, who cared for Dewey for 17 years.

Dewey was a very special person with a magnetic personality; he was loved by all who were fortunate to meet him. He embraced life, welcomed any challenge head on with a smile and his ‘can do’ attitude. He was a computer genius, an awesome cook and enjoyed square dancing as a member of the Square Wheelers.

Dewey had an immense love of birds and all animals; especially his beloved chickens and doves he raised by hand. He was a brilliant self-taught horticulturist and cherished his heirloom lemon tree passed to him by his beloved grandfather Peter Joseph.

Dewey was a graduate of Rockville High School, Class of 1977, attended Manchester Community College and was a graduate of the Easter Seals Connecticut Education Program at Southern CT University in New Haven with a Degree in Computer Science.

He was employed for 15 years at CIGNA in Bloomfield as a Senior Systems Analyst and was awarded the President’s Award for his sterling work on the Claims System. He was also the President of the CT Muscular Dystrophy Association in the 1980s and he volunteered for the MDA Marathon Drives and was a mentor for many with Muscular Dystrophy.

Dewey’s infectious smile, laugh and whistle along with his enduring legacy of love will be greatly missed.

Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, September 12th, 2018 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road (Route 83), Vernon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 13th, 2018 at 11 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 33 West Street, Rockville. Burial will follow at Valley Falls Cemetery, Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dewey’s memory to:The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, www.cmtausa.org.

For online condolences and guest book, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.