Emilio Cruz

1931 - 2020

Emilio Cruz, 89, of Palm Bay passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020 of natural causes. A native of New York, Emilio and his family relocated to Hialeah, Florida in 1962 and to Brevard County in 1997.

He was a loving husband of 61 years and a hard-working, engaging father to his four children.

Emilio served in the United States Army from 1950-1953. He enjoyed a long term career with Vaughn Parades/Festival Floats in Miami, building floats for the Orange Bowl Parade, prior to his retirement in 1994.

A dedicated, community-minded man, Amo, as he was affectionately called, was a member of Joy Lutheran Church in Palm Bay. He enjoyed donating his time as an usher during church services and as a volunteer for various projects at the church, including landscape and beautification efforts. Amo also enjoyed weekend coffee and fellowship with members of the Joy Lutheran Men’s Club. During his younger years, he coached Little League for the Hialeah Athletic Association.

Amo was of Puerto Rican descent and treasured the customs and traditions of the culture and sharing them with others. He enjoyed laughter, music, and entertaining guests, family, and friends alike. His hobbies included traveling, playing cards, yard work, fishing, soaking in the sights and sounds of Mother Nature, and cheering on his beloved Miami Dolphins and New York Yankees. He was also an avid dog lover and proudly wore his “Dog Father” shirt when relaxing around the house.

Emilio leaves behind his four children: Patricia (Perry) Tibbetts, Emilio Steve (Kim) Cruz, David Cruz, and James (Kristen) Cruz. He was grandfather to Amber Cruz, Robert (Kelli) Tibbetts, Evan Cruz, Alyssa Cruz, and Karina Cruz and was great grandfather to Blaze Tibbetts and Aurora Tibbetts. Emilio is also survived by his twin sister Lucy Lazo and his brother Joseph Cruz as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family that he deeply cherished.

He was preceded in death by his wife Clara Cruz in 2015, his father Emilio Cruz, his mother Olivia Sanchez and his siblings Mary Caban and Daisy Robbins.

The family asks that any memorial contributions in Emilio’s honor be sent to Palm Bay Memory Care for Dementia Research at 350 Malabar Road Southwest, Palm Bay, Florida 32907.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Cruz family.