Suffolk 18-Year Old A 'Friend To Many' Will 'Be Missed By All'

MASTIC, NY — Family and friends on Wednesday remembered a beloved Mastic teen for his infectious joy and love for others.

Landon "LJ" Kromhout Auditore, 18, a William Floyd High School student, died in a car crash last week in Holtsville.

He, along with 16-year-old Cem Gunes, a Sachem High School East student, and 17-year-old Taylor Beltramini, of Moriches, were in a 2009 Infinity G37 northbound on Nicolls Road when the vehicle veered off the roadway near Division Street and crashed into a wooded area, according to authorities.

Kromhout Auditore's family told Patch in a statement he was "the cousin that you would look forward to seeing at family parties", who "lit up every room he entered" with his infectious, positive energy.

"LJ was a kind, fun-loving, smart individual, yet crazy son, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson and friend to many overall," they said. "He was a person gone too soon with such a bright future ahead of him."

Kromhout Auditore was close to his parents, the family continued said.

"He loved his mom Allison, who was his best friend," they said. "His dad Vinny was his role model who he looked up to. He learned so much from them and molded him into the man he was."

He also prioritized family. His sister, Mena, for example, he cherished.

"He loved his sister Mena with all his heart," his family said. "He wanted to be the big protective brother, and would always be by her side."

The teen dreamed of building his own car someday, the family said.

They also shared a cherished anecdote.

" At our recent family vacation to the Dominican Republic in October, he sparked a conversation with every person he was with, even if he was up until late hours of the night, just getting to know and understand everyone," they said. "Everyone got to know LJ on a more personal level, and a special place for him was left in their hearts."

Lisa Tiani, an educator at William Floyd High School, said Kromhout Auditore would often stop into her office to chat. His family vacation positively affected him, she said. His joy was tangible.

"When you all returned and Landon came back to school, he had to stop in to share stories about the vacation," Tiani told his family. "He was so happy and full of joy. He laughed, and he brought a smile to our faces in the office."

Visitation hours for Kromhout Auditore were planned Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Moloney-Sinnicksons Funeral Home, located at 203 Main Street Center Moriches.

His funeral service was scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, located across the street at Moloney-Sinnicksons. He'll then be buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Kromhout Auditore is the second William Floyd School District student to die this year.

"His sister Mena says she loves him and will miss him dearly, he will always be her big brother," Kromhout Auditore's family said. "His smiling face will be missed by all."