Manuel Antonio Cruz

Manuel Antonio Cruz passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, August 14, 2025. He was 81 years old. He had suffered with a long illness for the last 15 years due to complications from Diabetes. Even though he spent the last few years using a wheelchair, it did not stop him from being independent at home with his loving dog, Oza. He also traveled to several places within the country and abroad. He enjoyed going to the beach, sporting events, and social gatherings throughout his youth and adult life.

The son of Antonio Cruz & Tomasa Mendoza, he was born on Christmas Day in 1943 in the beautiful, small town of Yucuaiquin, La Union, El Salvador. He was one of eight siblings, Emma+, Hector+, Manuel de Jesus+, Dolores+, Antonia+, Filomena+, and Enrique+.

He studied at the Instituto Francisco Morazan in Tegucigalpa, Honduras where he received a degree in Commerce. Following this, he received a degree in Public Accounting from the Universidad Nacional de Honduras. His first job was working at the Constancia SA de CV for a few years. He later left that job to work as an accountant for Banco Hipotecario. A few years later, he ended up at the Ministerio de Salud (Government) as a Zone Supervisor where he traveled to every corner of the country of El Salvador. If you would mention a village, town, or city in El Salvador, he knew where it was and had been there.

Like many Salvadorans, due to the civil war which had gripped the country, he was forced to emigrate to the United States for his safety. He traveled by Jeep around the country, and several times he was forced to stop and the vehicle was burned leaving him to find other means of transportation to get back. Before this, he had a motorcycle that he enjoyed, but after an accident where he broke his leg, that was the end of that. He arrived in Houston, Texas in 1978 and began working in whatever was available. He finally landed a stable job with R&B Services in their corporate housing division, Brompton Court and later Oakwood Village. He worked there for over 28 years in the maintenance department.

He is survived by Jose Armando (Stepson), Manuel Enrique (Son) and Maria Francelia (Manny’s wife), and Dalinda Arely (Daughter). He is also survived by his grandson Alessandro Giovan, nieces Brenda, Stephanie and Dolores. And many nephews and nieces residing in New Jersey, Dallas, Houston and El Salvador.

He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. Over the past 20 years, his faith grew and he got more involved in the church learning about God and the saints. He would often pray the rosary with us at home or via phone conference. We loved him for being a good father, provider, listener, caretaker, motivator, and always wanting the best for us. Our hope is that he is reunited with Zoa Arely, his wife of over 45 years in heaven!

Visitation/Wake

Friday, August 29 from 5 pm-10 pm

Liturgy of the Word 7 pm

Rosary 7:30 pm

Velorio

Viernes, 29 de Agosto de 5 pm-10 pm

Liturgia de la palabra 7 pm

Santo Rosario 7:30 pm

Funeral Mass

Saturday, August 30

10 am-11 am

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

9900 Stella Link Rd.

Houston, TX 77025

Misa Fúnebre

Sabado, 30 de Agosto

10 am-11 am

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

9900 Stella Link Rd.

Houston, TX 77025

Reception in PreFontaine Hall/Recepcion en el Salon PreFontaine

11 am-Noon

(If you want to bring a dish to share, we thank you in advance)

(Si quiere traer un plato para compartir, te lo agradecemos antemano)

Interment/Entierro

1 pm

Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery

6900 Lawndale St.

Houston, TX 77023