Jose Antonio Cruz

Mi Padre, fue un hombre humilde, trabajador, y con un corazón de oro. Si el pudiera darme las estrellas y la luna créeme, el me la bajaría. Me enseñó que el perdón es difícil pero necesario. Y el amor a la familia debe ser grande. Te Amo papi y te extrañaré.

Tu princesa

Tanairí Cruz

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Eulogy for Jose A. Cruz

We gather here today to honor and remember a man whose heart was as strong as his hands—Jose A. Cruz. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived, the kindness he showed, and the many lives he touched.

Jose was more than just a mechanic—he was a helper, a giver, and a true friend to many. He had a gift, not just for fixing cars, but for fixing problems, for easing burdens, and for reminding people that kindness still exists in this world. When someone was in a bind, when a car wouldn’t start, or when life threw unexpected challenges, Jose was always there, ready to help—never asking for anything in return. His generosity was as natural to him as breathing, and his willingness to lend a hand was a testament to the kind of man he was.

Beyond his skills, Jose was a man of warmth and integrity. He had a smile that reassured you that everything would be okay, even when things seemed difficult. He didn’t just repair vehicles—he built relationships, trust, and a legacy of selflessness. Whether it was a friend, a neighbor, or even a stranger, he believed in doing good simply because it was the right thing to do.

Jose’s kindness, his generosity, and his unwavering spirit will never be forgotten. Though his hands may no longer turn wrenches, and his voice may no longer greet us with warmth, his impact remains in every heart he touched. His legacy lives on in the lessons he taught us—to give without expecting, to help without hesitation, and to live with kindness.

Rest easy, Papi. Your work here is done, but your memory will forever be with us. Your son Joey

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Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Christian Cruz, and I am the son of Jose Antonio Cruz, better known to all of us as Papi. It’s an honor to stand before you today and celebrate the life of a truly remarkable man—someone who touched so many lives with his kindness, humor, and heart.

Papi was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and throughout his life, he built a legacy of hard work, love, and laughter. As his son, I’m proud to share a little of what made him so special.

Papi was a mechanic, and he had a remarkable gift. By simply listening to a vehicle, he could instantly tell what was wrong. He didn’t need fancy diagnostic tools—he trusted his ears and his instincts. That skill didn’t just make him a great mechanic; it also inspired me. Watching him work, I thought, “If Papi can fix cars, why not fix people?” This led me to pursue a career in the medical field. Papi’s dedication to fixing things, to making things work again, taught me the value of hard work and the importance of following your passion.

One of the most unforgettable things about Papi was his kindness. He never asked for anything in return for his work. He would fix cars for people, free of charge, simply because he cared. That generosity extended to all aspects of his life—whether he was helping a friend, lending a hand to family, or just sharing a moment of laughter with someone. His love was not bound by words but demonstrated through his actions every single day. His heart was bigger than any of us could ever truly understand.

I’ll never forget a moment we shared last year, during Thanksgiving 2024. Papi and I arrived at a dinner hosted by the Vertical Church mission group. We got there early, and while everyone else was still on their way, Papi decided to sit down on the couch and enjoy some appetizers. I sat next to him, and he was rocking back and forth on his crutches. I asked him, “Is everything okay?” and he said, “Yeah.” As I ate my pastry, I suddenly noticed a distinct smell in the air. I looked at him and said, “Papi, did you fart?” Without missing a beat, he pointed at me and laughed, saying, “I did it.” We both burst into laughter, tears streaming down our faces. That moment, that laughter, is one of the many I will forever hold close to my heart.

Papi had a sense of humor that could light up any room. He loved to make fun of me, especially when we went to his favorite Chinese buffet. I would load my plate with what seemed like a mountain of food, and Papi would give me that signature crazy look and say, “More!?” And every time, I’d laugh. His humor, the way he could make light of any situation, will be one of the things I miss most.

More than anything, Papi taught me the value of persistence and working with excellence. He put his whole heart into everything he did, and it was impossible not to see the pride he took in his work. I learned from him that when you commit yourself to something, you give it your all. Those are lessons I carry with me every day. And, perhaps most importantly, Papi taught me how to love—not just through words, but through actions. He showed his love for us, his kids, and our entire family, every single day.

Papi always told his friends that I was his "baby prince" and would proudly sit me on his lap. Those moments, those small gestures of love, are etched into my heart forever. They’re reminders of the incredible man he was—patient, loving, and always there when you needed him.

Today, as we say goodbye to Papi, we celebrate not just his life, but the legacy he leaves behind. He taught us all so much—about love, kindness, persistence, and how to find joy in every moment. His spirit lives on in the way we carry ourselves, the way we treat others, and in the laughter and love that still fill our hearts.

Papi, we will never forget you. You will always be with us in the stories we tell, the lessons we pass on, and the love we share. Rest in peace, knowing that I will forever be your “baby prince” and that we will carry your memory with us for the rest of our lives.

I love you Papi ~ Your Son Christian

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Jose was a hard working man. He worked in anything that will provide for his family. Car Mechanic he was good at. I was a teenager when Jose came to our lives. The family loved Jose and treated him right away like family. He was humble, honest, and loyal . We have fond memories of our Uncle José . I remembered the loved he had for his family and us. We will never forget your kindness José. I’m So happy that your Kids found you and spent time with you and your two beautiful Grandchildren.

May you Rest In Peace with all our loved ones. It’s not Goodbye, but So Long Uncle José Antonio Cruz

♥️Love you

Annette and family

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José A. Cruz Figueroa

Nació el 26 de julio 1955

Hijo de Gabriel Cruz y Julia Figueroa

Creció junto a su hermano Efraín y familia en Toa Alta Puerto Rico. Como familia éramos muy unidos. Durante su niñez y adolescencia le gustaba reunirse con sus primos para compartir y jugar: trompo, chiringa, pelota de goma y chino o bolitas de yeco. Disfrutaba de bañarse en la quebrada, cercana a su hogar. El y su hermano eran buenos nadadores.

Anécdota: de su casa a la casa de abuela había una pequeña distancia. En las noches dejaban una bombilla prendida para alumbrar el camino. El llamaba a sus primos para que fueran a jugar. Cuando estos iban a mitad de camino el apagaba la luz, dejándolos a oscuras. Esto era parte de los juegos de niños.

En su juventud decidió irse a los Estados Unidos, donde se caso y procreó sus tres hijos. La familia siempre lo ha amado mucho.

Angel Rivera Cruz (Cousin)

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Eulogy Jose A Cruz Figueroa

From Efrain Cruz

Jose Antonio Cruz Figueroa was born Bayamon, P.R. on July 26, 1955.He was the first child of Jose Luis Cruz Cintron and Julia Figueroa Cintron. He lived in Toa Alta, P.R. until de age of 19 and later moved to Bayamon, P.R for three more years. He worked for Pueblo Supermarket while he was living in Bayamon, P.R as a Front-End Manager. At the age of 22 he moved to New York, where he met his wife, Vivian Lopez. Eventually they had three children, Jose Luis Cruz, Christian Cruz and Tanairy Cruz. Over the years, in New York, he was a taxi driver and studied to be a mechanic, he graduated and was very good at it. He moved with his wife and children to Coral Springs, Florida.

Years later, he moved to Louisiana and stayed there for about 11 years. On July 04, 2023, after many years of absence he came back to Puerto Rico to see his father and relatives. His health was showing rapid deterioration, and his children moved him to Pompano Beach, Fl to take care of him. Like the prodigal son, he was received with joy and happiness by his father, children and family. It was an answer to many prayers, and a miracle that in his condition, he managed to find his father’s and relatives neighborhood.

When he was young, he loved to play baseball, domino, pool, and flipper machines. He was very created, he used to make his own customized trucks with beer cans, strings, and wood that he found around the house. He was able to fix old bicycles and from several ones he was able to create a functional one that he painted and had fun doing it.

I remembered he loved to do mechanical work, in one of my visits to his house in Coral Springs, Florida, I told him I was having problems with my car’s power window, he not only fixed it for me but also showed me how to fix it myself for the future. He always referred me as his “hermanito”, or little brother.

In Luke 6,43-44 the text said “. a person’s character and actions, like the fruit of a tree, revealed the true nature of their heart; a good person will naturally produce good deeds, just as a good tree bear good fruits…”

Jose had three children, which are great kids, so judging him by his fruits, he had to be a good person as only a good tree produces good fruits, only someone that is good, like a tree, can produce such incredible fruits, his children.

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Obituario

Jose A Cruz Figueroa

Nacido el dia de 26 de julio de1955 en Bayamon, P.R , fallecio el dia 20 de febrero del 2025 Pompano Beach, FL a la edad de 69 anos.

Le sobreviven sus hijos Jose L Cruz , Christian Cruz, Tanairi Cruz, y sus Hermanos Efrain Cruz Figuereoa y Carmen Vazquez Vazquez, tambien sus nietos Nyssa Cruz y Antonio Cannon.

Jose se mudo a Nueva York cuando tenia aproximadamente 22 anos y conocio a su esposa, Vivian Lopez, fallecida en el ano 2023, y tuvo tres hijos. Vivio en Louisiana por mas de 10 anos y regreso a Puerto Rico el 4 de julio de 2023. Su padre y su familia lo recibieron como el hijo prodigo, llenos de alegria y dando gracias a Dios por el. Mas tarde, y debido a su delicada salud sus hijos lo trajeron a Pompano Beach, Florida, para estar cerca de ellos, y cuidarlo.

Ruegen una oracion por su alma, y por el consuelo para aquellos que lo siguen amando y recordando .

Gracias por compartir este momento con todos sus familiars y amigos. Dios los bendiga mucho siempre.

Jose Antonio Cruz, age 69, of Pompano Beach, Florida passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Jose was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

A visitation for Jose will be held Friday, March 14, 2025 from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM at Bailey Memorial, 6701 West Commercial Blvd, Tamarac, FL 33319. A funeral service will occur Friday, March 14, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM, 6701 West Commercial Blvd, Tamarac, FL 33319. A committal service will occur Friday, March 14, 2025 from 2:15 PM to 3:00 PM, Bailey Memorial (Cemetery) 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.