November 17, 1931 - February 06, 2022
Vicente Edralin Cruz, devoted Husband, Father, Father In-Law, Papa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend to so many, has gone home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on February 6, 2022.
Born on November 17, 1931 in Baguio City, Philippines, he was the 8th of 10 children. He joined the US Navy on March 16, 1955 with service in the Vietnam War. In 1980, he and his family immigrated to Stockton, CA to be close to his Sister Carolina, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Vicente was 90 years old.
Vicente is survived by his children Diana Lynn Hinton, Maria Christina Cruz Plantilla, Lorelei Cruz and Vreeland Cruz; his grandchildren Kayla Gee, Isabel Gee, Victoria Cruz Plantilla, Isaiah Cruz Gee, Alexandria Cruz Plantilla and Tobias Vicente Cruz and many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his late wife Maria Clara Acogido Cruz, his parents Vicente Cruz and Rosario Edralin, and his nine siblings Balthazar, Rodolfo, Consolacion, Corazon, Celedonia, Carolina, Teoderico, Exequiel and Carmelita.
Vicente was a humorous, big-hearted, authentic, and devoted family man. He adored his wife and children. He was so proud of all his grandchildren. He cherished every moment spent with family and was a talented ballroom dancer and singer. His favorite songs to sing were “My Way”, “Spanish Eyes”. “Kahit Isang Saglit”; and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”.
Vicente met his wife, Maria Clara, in 1973 while stationed in Athens, Greece. They fell in love and were married on March 2, 1974. Together they danced and laughed all the time.
In his youth, he worked as a shoe-shine boy to earn money for food. He later joined the US Navy for 20 years then the United States Postal Service for another 35 years.
Vicente loved to work on cars and watch WWE Wrestling, both of which he passed onto his son Vreeland who is named after his last Naval ship.
In his retirement, his passion and purpose was to show his children and grandchildren the world by traveling to the Philippines, Mexico and to Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece where he fell in love at first sight with his wife Maria Clara.
Vicente was hard working and cared about others. His work ethic and his true contentment in life was a rarity and an inspiration to us all. He always taught his family to never give up, have self confidence, work hard and that family always comes first. He emphasized the importance of always helping family when in need and to pray to Jesus when in trouble or in doubt. He always supported us, contributed to our many accomplishments and helped guide us to overcome life’s challenges and difficulties. He played a major role in helping and influencing us with life-changing decisions. His advice, wisdom and stories of his life experiences meant so much to us. Words cannot express how special he was as the patriarch of our family. We appreciate and are grateful for all that he has taught us. We are blessed and fortunate to have had such a great role model.
SLIDESHOW: https://vimeo.com/680192366
Family and friends are invited to attend Vicente Edralin Cruz “Celebration Of Life”.
VIEWING SERVICES and HOLY ROSARY as follows:
Wednesday February 23rd from 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Thursday February 24th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm, and the Holy Rosary at 5:30 pm in the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park located at 14165 N Beckman Road Lodi, CA 95240.
FUNERAL and HOLY MASS as follows:
Friday February 25th at 10:00am in St. Luke’s Catholic Church located at 3847 N Sutter St. Stockton, CA 95204.
MILITARY MEMORIAL SERVICE as follows:
Wednesday March 2nd at 10:00am in the Vineyard Chapel located at Cherokee Memorial Park 14165 N Beckman Road Lodi, CA 95240.
40 DAYS PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED:
Posted daily via Facebook LIVE on Maria Christina Cruz Plantilla’s Facebook Page
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve The Cruz Family.