Santanu Mukherjee

RANDOLPH - Santanu Mukherjee, lovingly known as Babu within his family and close circle of relatives, beloved husband, father, brother, and son, passed away on November 17, 2025, after a courageous and unfailingly graceful battle with lymphoma. Born on May 17, 1966, in Kolkata, India, he was the treasured son of Shome and Bani Mukherjee and the devoted older brother of Sidd, a role he fulfilled with quiet strength, deep loyalty, and an ever-present sense of responsibility.

Santanu was raised in Randolph, Massachusetts, surrounded by family, lifelong friends, and a deep curiosity about the world. Even as a child, he possessed a calm steadiness which was his instinct to observe, understand, and care. This defined him throughout his life. His friends fondly remember his dry humor, quick smile, and his maturity beyond his years. His home was always filled with music, and it was there that he discovered a love for it that would stay with him forever.

He pursued biochemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he not only excelled academically but also forged friendships and experiences that he cherished throughout his life. He approached his studies with diligence and humility, motivated by a deep belief that knowledge should serve others. His time at UMass remained profoundly meaningful to him. He was a residential assistant (RA) and in later years he stayed connected to the university and was recognized by the alumni board for his contributions to the community that had shaped him. After completing his undergraduate degree, he went on to the New England College of Optometry, graduating in 1991, where he found not just a profession, but a true calling.

For more than three decades, Santanu served the Greater Boston community as an optometrist, becoming a trusted and beloved figure to countless patients. He remembered the small details of their lives—the names of their children, a recent joy or worry, a story shared in passing. Many remarked that an appointment with him felt less like a medical visit and more like time spent with a friend. Colleagues admired his clinical expertise and professional acumen, but even more, they valued his kindness, humility, and the quiet example he set simply by being himself.

Outside the office, Santanu delighted in the simple pleasures of everyday life. He loved tennis and golf—not just for the sport, but for the camaraderie, friendly competition, and laughter that followed each outing. He cherished his Sundays with friends and the New England Patriots along and peaceful evenings with family. He had a gift for bringing calm to any situation often through an understated remark that eased tension and brought people together.

Above all else, Santanu’s greatest devotion was to his family and to his dear lifelong friends, whom he cherished. Santanu has now joined his father, Shome, in the afterlife. He is survived by his beloved mother, Bani; his brother, Sidd and his wife Swati; and numerous relatives here and around the world who adored him. His wife, Leslie—his partner, confidante, and the person with whom he built a home filled with warmth, respect, and deep affection and his daughter, Sonya, were closest to him. Sonya was the light of his life. Her accomplishments filled him with immense pride, He often said she was his “fashion guru.” To his family, he was their foundation—steady, thoughtful, protective, and endlessly loving.

Santanu’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, the compassion he showed, and the quiet strength he brought to every chapter of his life. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Canton Town Club on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Location: 300 Bailey St Canton MA. There will be a light luncheon to follow, with an open mic opportunity for storytelling. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

Arrangements are under the care of Kelly Cremation & Funeral Care, 154 Lincoln Street, Worcester.