Francisco Toledo "Frank" Cruz

DURHAM: Francisco Toledo "Frank" Cruz, 89, passed on to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 31, 2016 at his home in Durham, surrounded by his loving family. Born in the Philippines, Frank was the first born of seven children. He is survived by his sister, Dory; brother and sister-in-law Rolando and Lolita; brother-in-law, Manny; children: Mary-Ann and Jay de Leon, and Ronee Cruz; nieces and nephews: Marylou and Doh, neette, Leny, Micole and Bea, Roda and Jaime, Rowena, and Anee. Grand nieces and nephews; Dominick, Doreen, Donnel, Joshua, Jade, Jacob, Nikki, Kevin, Bianca, Brandon, Cristian, Aneea, Mateo, and Luis. He was preceded ineeath by his parents: Eufemio and Venancia; his wife Celia; and sisters: Patricia, Cresencia, Asuncion, and Antonina. Frank joined the Uneed States Navy in the 50???s, and served until 1974 as a Senior Chief Yeoman. It was this opportunity that enabled him to provide generously for his family. Guided by his sense of responsibility and caring toward his family, Frank helped his siblings and their families immigrate to the U.S. Ineetirement, he found joy ineerving his church as a member of the Knights of Columbus of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, and his community, as a member of the local Kiwanis Club, and as one of the pillars and founding members of the NC Phil-Am Association. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 10:30 am Thursday from St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 920 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill. Interment with military honors will follow in Markham Memorial Gardens. Friends will be received 6-9 PM Wednesday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Donations in Frank???s memory may be made to St Thomas More Catholic Church or PAANC.