Raul Antonio Cruz

May 25, 1939 - April 1, 2020

Raul Antonio Cruz, 80, of Fort Myers, FL, returned to be with God, on Wednesday morning, April 1, 2020.  Born on May 25, 1939 in Caguas, Puerto Rico he was the son of the late Zacarias and Gregoria Cruz.  

Raul is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Carmen Miriam Cruz, along with two loving children, Melissa Cruz of Fort Myers and Alejandro Cruz (Ines) of Buford, GA;  his five beautiful grandchildren, Daniel, Chris, Alexa, Alana, and Amelia;  sister Mary Amador of Milltown, NJ and brother Jose Cruz (Carmen) of Kissimmee, FL;  DayWu their dog who idolized him, Maya and Rosie the grand furdogs.  He is adored by his nieces and nephews, sister in-laws, brother in-laws and many friends from the NY Times of 36 years, New York, New Jersey and the Pine Ridge community.

Raul was a devout Catholic who attended mass on a weekly basis at St. Vincent De Paul Church in Fort Myers. He had a great sense of humor who always made people laugh and quite the prankster.  He is definitely known for countless pranks he played on family, friends, colleagues, sadly, passing on April Fools Day was not one.  A veteran, Raul was proud to serve the United States Army and enjoyed talking about his time in Schwaback, Germany, his hometown of Caguas, PR and its history.  Raul loved to watch and discuss boxing, bowling and jogging.  He bowled in a team on a weekly basis and jogged daily.  He started jogging while living in NY and ran several races.  Family vacations were fun times camping in NJ and later traveling to Las Vegas and cruising with his wife, Carmen.  Raul was extremely artistic and had created beautiful paintings and drawings in oil, acrylic, water color, pencil and chalk; wood sculptures; wood burnings and glass etchings on bottles as well as domino tables.  Was always proud of his work but Raul would never have it displayed in an art gallery as many had suggested.  Not only was he artistic, he was also very handy and in the backyard of his house in Brooklyn, NY, he built a shed, his haven where he created many of his masterpieces. 

Memorial Mass will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, November 7, 2020 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd, Ft. Myers, FL  33905 with Rev. Dr. Murchadh O’Madagain officiating.  

Memorial Contributions in memory of Raul Antonio Cruz are suggested to St. Vincent De Paul Church, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers,  FL  33905 or to the St. Jude Foundation, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Wendy and angel santos Apr 6, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    Such wonderful memories of this amazing human in Brooklyn ..Raul was probably one of the best neighbors anyone could possibly have ..he was so considerate and caring always ready to help one out..we would go to the parties and he would say “ drive careful “ ..( we lived right next door )!!!! He raised two incredible human beings and just adored his wife Miriam so very much ..he was the best father and husband along with his love for his grandchildren..GOD bless this incredible human being and may the family find peace for their loss

  2. Carmen Miriam Cruz Apr 10, 2020 at 9:48 am

    My husband Raul was a wonderful man. He always got up before me and took our dog Daywu out and made coffee for us. He always took me shopping and to all my appointments. And then he would say want to go to the casino and he knew what I wanted. I will always cherish the memories we shared. I love you My love. Mi pollito is what I used to call him. May you rest in peace. I love you Mi pollito.
    Lots of kisses and hugs

  3. David Amador Apr 12, 2020 at 9:35 pm

    My Uncle Raul was an awesome uncle. He always had a smile on his face and was always so upbeat. I remember him being funny loving as well as a great family many. Uncle Raul you will be missed!
    Your nephew David Amador

  4. Alexis Colon Apr 15, 2020 at 8:05 pm

    Padrino, my Godfather was an amazing man. He was a teacher, he taught me lessons that I now instill in my own daughter. He was a role model, he motivated me to do my first 5k.. He was an artist, as a child he helped me with a school project, turning a not so great project into something beautiful. He was a prankster, always playing pranks on someone and trying to make them laugh. He was caring, he took me to fathers and daughters day at his job at the New York times. He was a videographer, he recorded my sweet sixteen writing little messages on there, that brought me to tears.. He was a blessing. I will cherish our memories. I know he’s shinning down on us. I love you Padrino. Until we meet again.

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