Croatto, a lifelong smoker, was diagnosed in March 2005 with lung and brain cancer. He refused medical treatment, opting for natural treatments instead. He expected his health to eventually improve, but probably was not aware of how sick he was, since his death came just three weeks after the announcement. Croatto dictated a letter published in local papers to notify the public of his illness and leave a message of gratitude to the people of Puerto Rico who adopted him as son and patriot.