Pedro Francisco Cruz

Pedro Francisco Cruz, age 94, died Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Our Lady’s Haven. He was the husband of the late Jennie (Lima) Cruz with whom he had celebrated 64 years of marriage at the time of her death.

Pedro was born on April 8, 1920 to the late Francisco P and Anna G. (Rozario) Cruz. He was raised in New Bedford and lived in the city for most of his life before moving to Fairhaven in 1991. He also spent many enjoyable summers at his son’s home in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard.

Pedro graduated from New Bedford High School in 1938. He was a decorated World War II Veteran of the United States Army/ U.S. Air Forces having served in the Pacific Theatre for 38 months. He entered the Army on March 18, 1942 and served with the Company C 1890th Engineer Construction Battalion until being honorably discharged as a Corporal on December 4, 1945. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Mr. Cruz then joined the Merchant Marines and served for several years as an Able Bodied Seaman with the New York Port Authority.

Pedro loved the outdoors and enjoyed his job as a General Laborer in the Construction field. He worked on various projects throughout the Southcoast, most notably the Hurricane Dike in New Bedford from its groundbreaking to its official dedication. He also worked as a Custodian for a short time at SMU, eventually retiring in 1982.

However, Pedro’s love of the sea called him back to rejoin the Merchant Marines at the age of 62 where he served for several more years aboard the USNS Mohawk and USNS Bartlett. Pedro travelled extensively throughout the world and United States and enjoyed attending as many sporting events for the New England Teams: Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox, as he could both at home and on the road. He attended our Lady of Assumption Church in his early years and the Chapel at Our Lady’s Haven more recently. He loved music, especially jazz, his animals and walks along the ocean, but his greatest love was his family and he will long be remembered as a loving husband and dedicated father and grandfather.

He is survived by his son, Donald S. Cruz of Westport; daughters, Laverne M. Cruz of Fairhaven and Claudia A. Cruz of Oakland, CA; grandchildren, Christopher Cruz of Brockton, Kristina Backer of London, Jessica Cruz of Fairhaven and the late Jamal Cruz; great-grandchildren, Jalen and Sierra Cruz of Pittsburgh, PA; a sister, Gloria Corchado of New Bedford and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Jose Cruz, Mary Grace and Antonia Moore.

His family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the professionalism, care, compassion and integrity of the Nursing staff, Nurses’ aides, Pastoral Care and Administrative Staff of Our Lady’s Haven. Contributions in Pedro’s memory may be made to Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Private arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven. Visit www.waring-sullivan.com.