Avelino Jesse Cruz, Jr., loving father, husband, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully Thursday on June 1, 2023, at his home in San Antonio, Texas. He was 89 years old.

Avelino was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 1, 1933, and was the oldest of eight children born to Abelino and Esperanza Cruz. He graduated from Fox Tech High School, where he studied Drafting. He began his career with the United States Federal Government Department of Defense (DOD) in 1952 working for the US Air Force at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. His career with the DOD consisted of positions ranging from a Wage Grade Forklift Driver to a General Manager Senior Logistics Specialist. Over the course of 35+ years, he and his family moved to multiple locations, including Ohio, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He retired from the Federal Government in Jan 1988, they moved back to San Antonio, where they built a life for their children and grandchildren. He continued to work in various positions until the age of 75, when he retired for good.

He was a loving husband to his wife, Maria, for 69 years. They traveled the world together as part of his career with the Federal Government and visiting family members living overseas. Avelino was a loving brother, and devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was very dedicated to his faith, and was active with his parish church, St. Mary Magdalen, as both a baseball coach to his sons, and as a member on the CYO Athletic Department. While a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, he volunteered by presenting the Eucharist to parishioners.

He was preceded in death by his father, Abelino Cruz and mother Esperanza Jasso Cruz, both from San Antonio, Texas.  He is survived by his loving wife: Maria Elvia Enriquez Cruz; children Michael Cruz, David Cruz, and Catherine Castle; grandchildren: Christina, Michelle, Jessica, Jacqulyn, Carolyn, John Jr, and Jared; great-grandchildren: Estella, John III, Harbor, Hadley Mae, Holton, Hagan, and Elizabeth; and by his siblings: Rodolfo, Gloria, Rumaldo, Elida, Alicia, Rosalinda, and Clara.

The family is requesting in lieu of flowers to make donations in his name to either the American Heart Association or Yellow Rose Hospice Care, Inc., located at 2819 NW Loop 410, Suite F, San Antonio, TX 78230.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Thursday, June 15, 2023

The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00pm

Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm

The Angelus Funeral Home

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Friday, June 16, 2023

Funeral mass will be offered at 10:00am at

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

followed by the committal at

Holy Cross Cemetery