Marcelino De La Cruz Ruiz, 48, of Fairhaven, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, March 8, 2024. He was the loving husband of Juana (Chingo Mucia) De La Cruz.
Born in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala, he moved to the United States in 1991 and lived in Fairhaven for 24 years.
Marcelino was very active in his parish community, and was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford. He worked for Worldwide Fish for many years where he met his friends Louis Juillard and Frank Ferreira. Louis and Frank helped him earn his U.S. residency. Frank was a father figure to Marcelino and was the best man at his wedding to Juana. Marcelino worked as a quality control inspector at QCP fish factory and enjoyed gardening in his time after work.
Survivors include his wife; his children, Daniel and Santiago De la Cruz, both of Fairhaven; his siblings, Maria, Juan, Benjamin, and Tereso De La Cruz Ruiz; his sisters-in-law Ana, Maria, Goya, Christina, Sebastiani, Andrea, Zoila; his brother-in-law Lucas; his nieces and caregivers Sandra and Estella; and many nephews, Godsons, and other relatives and friends.
He is predeceased by his brother Salvador De La Cruz Ruiz.
His visiting hours will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. His Funeral Mass will held Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, with the public invited to meet directly at Church. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery.