Austin Santoyo

The sky turned red, and a rainbow appeared without rain. This world lost a dear soul far too soon on June 23, 2025. Austin Santoyo was a promising young musician, electrical tech wizard and beloved son of Luis and Rose Santoyo. He was a wonderful and supportive influence on his younger brother Cooper. They shared the love of music and gaming electronics that connected them both with a wide network of friends across the globe.

Inspired by his father and grandfather, Austin’s musical talents and interests emerged at an early age. A gifted musician, Austin was often found with a guitar in hand or piano filling the room with music and memories.

Born on April 4, 1997, in New Haven, Connecticut to Rose Albicocco and Luis Santoyo. The family moved to Plano, Texas where he graduated from Plano Sr. High School along with his close friends Rohan Khan and Gonzalo Tovilla. He embarked on an adventurous journey in Houston, Texas where he attended the University of Houston and graduated in 2021 with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technologies. Austin made many friends during his time at UH including roommates Sam Rhodes, Anthony Morales and Vin Cao.

After graduation, he gained a position at Microchip Technology Inc. in Austin, Texas as a validation engineer. He continued to keep experimenting in sound, tech and musical genres as an interactive media artist. He co-founded Petal LLC, where he created light and sound effects for the emerging underground music scene in Austin and San Antonio. Fans would enjoy the colorful and pulsating amazing light shows Austin would create.

At family celebrations, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends would gather, sharing stories, watch movies and cook Italian and Mexican food. Austin would sit down at the piano and start playing the melodies of our lives.His best friends and cousins would gather at Austin’s parents’ home and have jam sessions creating original compositions. The music he made for us will never be forgotten and will dance in our souls.

He was a quiet young man, that listened to everything around him. He had those legendary Santoyo sparkling eyes preferring to speak with a drumbeat, a chord and combination of the circle of fifths that would transform a room. He enjoyed the outdoors, was a cat lover and a movie aficionado. He kept his friends throughout his life and loved and was loved by all of them and his family.

We cherish him. We miss him.

“Where words fail, music speaks”

Hans Christian Anderson

Austin is survived by parents Luis Santoyo and Rose Albicocco, and brother Cooper. Aunt Yolanda Santoyo; Calvin and Rilee (Hudson and Wyatt) and Gabriella. Aunt Mona and Glenn Gregg; Nina (Cruz), James and Birke (Cosma, William, Anina and Hannes), Zoe Soeters and husband Kris. Aunt Susan Jahannian; Rachel and Audrey,Uncle Ricky and Aunt Jennifer Santoyo: Roman, Paul and Sophia. Aunt Mary Santoyo; Julia, Anthony and Maxximus. Uncle Jon Newhouse. Aunt Susan (Albicocco) Prestiano and Jack Prestiano: Michael and Christine (Dylan and Luca), Matthew and Tori (Charlie), Nicole and Chris (Brady, Aubrey and Liliana. Aunt Vera Albicocco. Uncle Joseph Albicocco. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Luis C Santoyo and Rebecca Gutierrez; maternal grandparents Savatore and Luisa Albicocco. Maternal Aunt Maria Cesarek.

There will be a memorial mass at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 10, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

We have chosen an organization that is dedicated to Music Education programs for anyone who would like to donate to Austin’s memory. Texas Music Project at: https://texasmusicproject.org/