Rogelio Reyes Cruz was born July 1, 1939 to Eligio Banzil Cruz and Elisa Tulod Reyes in Dinalupihan, Bataan. He graduated High School in 1958 at Northern Bataan Institute. The eldest of sixteen children, he worked in Manila to help support his younger siblings to college.
He was married to Clarita Montero and they had one son, Rogelio Jr. He was was a devoted Catholic and was active in church ministries in the Philippines. He also served as Barangay Captain in his hometown. He came to the United States in 2009 and had lived with the Cruz-Nuevo family.
He developed chronic kidney disease and underwent hemodialysis till his passing.
He was survived by his wife (Clarita), son ( Rogelio, Jr.), daughter-in-law (Jommelie Jarabello) two grandsons (Sean Gabriel and Jairu), and fourteen siblings.
