Santo Y. Lee

Santo Y. Lee, 50, of Warrenville, Illinois, passed away on December 4, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on December 12, 1974, in Des Plaines, Illinois, Santo lived a life marked by humor, dedication, and an unwavering devotion to those he loved most. The son of the late Myoung and Jung Lee, and brother to the late Canto Lee, Santo carried forward his family’s warmth and resilience in everything he did. He married the love of his life, Darcy, in March 2003—a partnership that brought him deep joy and laughter. Together they built a home filled with warmth, faith, and devotion to their three sons: Brady, Gavin, and Duncan, the lights of Santo’s life.

For over 25 years, Santo worked for Ace Hardware, where he was known for his dependability, quick wit, and ability to make any coworker feel like family. He had an uncanny knack for storytelling, often retelling the same tales with such humor and flourish that even those who knew every word still found themselves laughing.

Santo’s passions extended far beyond his professional life. He was a dedicated coach and an avid supporter of his sons’ sports endeavors, never missing an opportunity to cheer them on from the sidelines. A lifelong Cubs fan, he took immense pride in watching his team clinch the 2016 World Series. He was equally passionate about Bears football and his recently rediscovered hobby of baseball card collecting. A proud member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Santo’s life was grounded in faith and community. His humor, generosity, and kindness left an imprint on everyone he met.

Santo is survived by his beloved wife, Darcy, and his cherished sons, Brady, Gavin, and Duncan in addition to mother-in-law Carol McLeod, sister-in-law Ashlee (McLeod) Dameron, brother-in-law Tyler Dameron and niece and nephew Amelia and Miles Dameron. He is preceded in death by his parents, Myoung and Jung Lee, his brother, Canto Lee, and father-in-law Duncan McLeod.

Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a service at 1:30 p.m., at Norris-Segert Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 132 Fremont Street, West Chicago, Illinois. Services will conclude at the funeral home. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and never failed to bring a smile to those around him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Santo’s memory can be made to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN.org) or Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Chicago.