Joseph P. "Murphy" Cruz, 79, of New Bedford died Friday March 7, 2003 at Hallmark Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after a long illness. He was the husband of Virginia M. Baptiste-Cruz.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Peter N. and Julianna (Eleanor) Cruz, he had lived in New Bedford for many years.
He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
Mr. Cruz served in the U.S. Army in the Medical Corps during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, retiring after 24 years of service. After his retirement, he was employed as an orderly at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Providence, RI.
He was a life member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife; 2 sons, Lawrence P. Cruz and Peter Cruz, both of Stanton, Tenn.; a daughter, Jozell Cruz of Stanton; 2 brothers, John P. Cruz and Antone D. "Toi" Cruz, both of New Bedford; 2 sisters, Mary Cruz Easton and Izidora "Izzy" Vincent, both of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.He was the brother of the late Dennis P. Cruz, Antonia J. Cruz ,and Rose J. Cruz.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday March 11, 2003 at 10 AM.Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 11 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Monday March 10, 2003 from 4- 8 PM. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.