Roland Cruz

Rolando Yanzon Cruz passed away on the 14th of August 2016, at the age of 64. After hosting a full day of lively gathering in his home while surrounded by many loved ones from near and far, Rolando finally retreated for the night, lost his breath and moved on to heaven. His last moments were spent praying to the Lord beside Delia, his wife of 39 years.

Roland was born in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. He graduated from San Sebastian College, Manila with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Marketing. He met his wife in the summer of 1976, and they dated by attending daily Mass at church. In 1979, they married and moved to the U.S., truly beginning a wonderful marriage and life together.

Roland loved to work. He spent many years as a Sales Associate at Goodyear and Firestone. He and his wife also delved into many successful small businesses including a day care center, a café, a laundromat, a vacation property rental, and an assisted living facility. But Roland’s greatest passion was to help people. He always took care of family and friends in need, often taking them in to live in his own home so that they could build their own. Roland proudly served as an usher at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, and attended daily mass during his retirement years.

Roland also loved the outdoors. He spent his leisure time picnicking and jet skiing with family at Lake Travis and Lake Austin. He enjoyed tending to his fruitful farm and gardens, filled with goats, chickens and vegetables. He offered his harvests of fresh farm eggs and calamansi fruits to everyone. He is also well known for cooking big batches of hot chili sauce using his own special recipe. He delighted in bottling and sharing his “hotter than hot” red pepper chili sauce to everyone.

Roland is survived by his wife Delia, his two sons Reginald and Reynald, three granddaughters, and his siblings Art, Chito, Malou, Lina, and Fely.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., with Rosary Service at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 17, 2016, and Thursday, August 18, 2016. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, August 19, 2016, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Cook-Walden/ Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make Mass Intentions in Roland’s memory to a Catholic Church of your choice.