This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Frank Cruz, 51, born on January 3, 1962 and passed away on March 25, 2013. We will remember him forever.
Frank's Eulogy
Before I begin I would like to thank all of you on Behalf of my two Sisters and myself, for your efforts large and small to be here today, to help mark my dads passing.
Each of you here had your own relationship with my dad; each of you has your own set of memories and your own pictures that describe this man. I’m going to tell you about my memories that I have being his daughter.
Losing our mom a year ago and now our dad is one of the most difficult things we have gone through. As I am standing up here today I realize how fortunate we were to have them as our parents. There are no words to express the influence they had in our lives. It is through their example that we learned to be strong and an independent woman that we are today.
I think to myself what I can tell you about my dad that you already don’t know. Well my dad has many qualities to him these are just a few.
My dad was a hardworking man, he didn’t have a high school diploma or a college degree, and he didn’t have an office job. In his words he had a real mans job that he loved and enjoyed doing. I remember when he would come home dirty and smelling he would come into the garage and take of his boots and open a nice cold one. My mom standing by the counter looking outside would be yelling in the background “Pancho ya vante para que pudes comer” Those were the good times as my Aunt Alice would say “Price Less”
April 30th would have been One year that my dad was diagnosed with head and neck Cancer, it started off by a Tumor on his Adams apple and it was growing to the size of a golf ball. He had surgery and they immediately started Radiation, while he was on Radiation their were more tumors growing in different places so the Doctor thought Chemo was the best thing to do for him. That didn’t work either so then we went back to Radiation. Through out this my dad never complained about the pain or the not eating; it was towards the end where he said to me Mija I can’t anymore I’m weak and I need help. As his daughter it broke my heart to see my Strong Hard Working Dad like that, He was admitted to Hospice March 13th the day Pope Francis was elected, the journey being on Hospice was a journey that know other would forget he was still a hard headed man that wanted to do things his way or no way Just ask my Aunt Sandra and she can tell you.
So far I have told you about his journey having this cancer and him being a hard working man; what I haven’t told you is how devoted he was to his family. My dad’s death brought sadness but it also brought something else that we will cherish forever. It brought me and my sisters together, my dad and his siblings, Aunts and Nieces and cousins and lastly it bought Friends together, friends that are there to support you and that have been their from the start. In this past year our family grew, in my dad’s words we have been blessed to have our Adopted Family.
My dad was all about Family Time, if it was Bingo night or going to 7 mile fair. When it was Football season he loved having the Family over to watch the “Game” and if anybody knows my Dad it wasn’t just any game it had to be “The Cowboys Game.” He would always make his Famous Caldo de Res or his Menudo and he would invite everybody. My Dad is a Father of 4, John may he rest in peace, Martha, myself and the Spoilest one of all Destiny. He was always there for his Daughters, he alwasy made time for us. My dad has 7 Grandchildren that he loved and adored, he was always trying to make it to their football games or soccer practices. My dad loved all 7 Grandchildren and always wanted them to sleepover he would even have them put him to sleep with the feather. My Son who is the youngest Grandchild was always getting into the plants or pictures and not once did you hear my dad yell at him, He didn’t care he would say Déjà Lo (let him do what he wants). Towards the end of my Dad’s journey the only thing that would lift my dad up was Family, His sisters and brothers would come and talk to him and you can tell just by his face that loved it. His Friends were over and he was playing arm wrestle and taking pictures and smiling at all the jokes. William would come over with his play guns and darts and Dad would be playing with him and shooting everybody. The most important thing that I personally will miss is my parents Family gatherings, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Birthdays would come around and we never needed to ask where we’re going to celebrate, because we already knew it would be at my parent’s house. My mom with her famous potato salad and my dad in his grilling, he loved a full house of family and friends. As I look around today I know he would be very happy to see each one of you here. Once again on my behalf and my sisters and the Cruz Family we thank you.
Maria Alicia Cruz- Reynoso
