Anthony ”Tony” Cruz, born on July 3, 1929 in Honolulu, Hawaii, peacefully passed away on July 3, 2018, at his home in Silverdale, Washington. It was the date of his 89th birthday, and his 66th wedding anniversary.
While still an infant, Tony and his parents moved to and lived in Adelup Point, Guam. In 1941, the family endured the hardships of the war and were interned in a concentration camp in Manenggon Valley in 1944. After Guam had been liberated by the U.S., they returned to Oahu, Hawaii.
Following his graduation from Kahuku High School in 1952, Tony enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served honorably for 22 years, retiring in 1974 as an Chief Aviation Storekeeper (AKC) at the Polaris Material Office Pacific at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He was also a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. As a civilian, he worked for the Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Company at Naval Base Bangor, Kitsap, until retiring for good in 1994.
Tony married his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Maggie" Ho’okano on July 3, 1952 in Hau'ula, Hawaii. In addition to his wife of 66 years, Tony is survived by his sons: Anthony (PattyJean) Cruz, Arron Cruz, and David Ghylin (Hanai); daughters: RoxanneMarie (Bob) Lavery, Margaretmary (Ed) Woodd, Mikilani (Matt) Garcia, and Ku'uipo (Kurt) Mackenzie; brother Norman Cruz; sisters: Helen Elledge, Mary Meyer, Leontine Olmstead, and Genevieve Byrne. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Brianna Kirkland, Arron Smith, Collin Smith, Leilani Doherty, Katherine Mackenzie, Ian Mackenzie, Cody Cruz, Lilia Cruz, Mary Cruz, and Stephen Cruz; and great-grandchildren: Gabriel Smith, Natalie Kirkland-Woodd, Declan Smith, Dylan Smith, Marina Doherty, Elise Doherty, Ivan Doherty, and Ruby Powers; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary Vinhasa and Antonio Cruz; daughter Rita, and sisters Rita Cruz and Cecelia Segraves.
Tony had a life-long passion for being in, on, or near the water. He spent many seasons out on the Hood Canal, teaching his kids and grandkids how to operate a boat, fish, catch crab and shrimp, gather oysters, and dig clams of all kinds--the bigger, the better! In his younger years, he would spend every weekend and holiday at LaPush, Neah Bay or Sekiu in pursuit of salmon, halibut, and other fish. If he could not be out there, he would be dreaming of all the fish he would catch. Tony, indeed, had many memorable adventures on those waters!
Tony (a.k.a., "Cruzy) will always be remembered for his quick smile (unless you were trying to take his picture), his kindness, generosity, and his sense of humor. He truly enjoyed being with his family and friends. He loved to "talk story", and he would tell jokes that would make you laugh so hard you would cry! We will miss our weekly, "Friday nights at Cruzy's", when we would all just hang with him for the evening and have a great time telling lies, laughing, singing, and playing music.
A Funeral Mass is being planned for Tony at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Tony’s name to Multi-Care Hospice of Silverdale: [email protected] or send gift to Foundations of Multi-Care, P.O. Box 5296, Tacoma WA 98415-0296.
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