Ronald J. Cruz, 63, of Dorchester died Friday December 14, 2007 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in New Bedford, the son of Dorothy B. (Miranda) Cruz and the late Antone B. Cruz, Sr., he lived in Boston for many years.
Mr. Cruz was formerly employed as an equal opportunity officer for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health until his retirement. He had also previously worked for the New Bedford Housing Authority. After his retirement, he was employed by the law firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston.
Mr. Cruz attended New Bedford Vocational High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in football and baseball. He was a former member of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World, William H. Carney Lodge 200 and a member of the N.A.A.C.P. He was a certified computer technician. He enjoyed photography, computers, fishing, playing the congas, fixing things, attending estate sales and auctions, and keeping up with events in New Bedford.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his mother; his wife Loren (Scott) Cruz of Falmouth; four children, Paul F. Cruz and Ronald J. Cruz II, both of California, Christie Staples and her husband Erik of Worcester, and Taryn Cruz of Dorchester; three brothers, Atty. Antone B. Cruz, Jr. and his wife Judy, Robert W. Cruz, who was his twin, and Carl J. Cruz, all of New Bedford; two sisters, Cheryl E. Cruz of New Bedford and Nadine H. Cruz of Boston; his former wife, Joyce Pocknett Cruz of New Bedford; two aunts; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was the brother of the late Steven M. Cruz.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 9 AM in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guest book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.