Obituaries, 25 October 2006

Obituaries, 25 October 2006

La Prensa

October 25, 2006

English

LUIS R. CRUZ

Luis R. Cruz, 78, of Lorain, OH, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006, in the emergency room at Community Health Partners Hospital, Lorain, following a sudden illness. He was born Sept. 9, 1928, in Coamo, Puerto Rico. He lived in New York, New Jersey and Florida before coming to Lorain more than 55 years ago.

Cruz was a founding member of the Puerto Rican Home, where he served as president from 1956 through 1966, and a founding member of Club Coameno. He received a congressional recognition certificate for meeting the needs of the Puerto Rican community from 1947 through 1967. He was employed as a balancer and utility man at Ford Motor Co., Brook Park, for 31 years, retiring in 1981. Before that he was a railroad worker. He helped establish a fast-pitch softball league and several teams at Oakwood Park in Lorain and coached the Coamo fast-pitch softball team. Cruz was a member of Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain, and United Auto Workers Union Local 1250 and enjoyed gardening, baseball and walking.

Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Anna M. (née Sepulvida); sons Luis Cruz of Vermilion and Arturo "Tito" Cruz and Roberto "Bobbie" Cruz, both of Lorain; daughters Nancy Molina, Carmen Cruz and Joann Cato Cruz, all of Lorain; stepsons Paul Flores Jr. of Elyria and Dennis Flores and Johnny Flores, both of Lorain; stepdaughters Mary Flores of Lorain and Grace Carlson of North Ridgeville; brothers Roberto Guzmán and Luis F. Ralat, both of Villalba, Puerto Rico, and Reynaldo Ralat of Lorain; sisters Carmen M. Pérez of Newark, N.J., and Gloria Colón of Guayama, Puerto Rico; and 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe Barrio Cruz in 1989 and Carmen (née Rivas) Cruz in 1997; and a brother, Oscar Ralat, in 1973.

CARMEN C. FLORES

Carmen "Mamá" C. Flores (née Caraballo), 81, of Lorain, OH, died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, after a long illness. She was born Nov. 1, 1924, in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. She moved to Lorain from Puerto Rico 55 years ago. She had devoted her time to her home and family. She was a member of Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Ebenezer and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and cooking.

Survivors include her sons Gasper Jr. and Germán, both of Pinellas Park, Fla.; daughters Margarita Rodríguez of Long Island, N.Y., and Marian Mounts and Matilda Lamberty, both of Lorain; brothers Fídel Jr. and Vidal, both of Puerto Rico; sisters Dominga, Sara, Lubina and Eva, all of Puerto Rico; and 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gasper Flores, in April 1993; daughter, Nilsa Toro, in November 2000; a grandson; and her parents, Fidel and Jova (née Feliciano) Caraballo.

EDUARDO FLORES JR.

Eduardo Flores Jr., 45, of Bowling Green, OH, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at his residence. Arrangements are pending at Smith-Crates Funeral Home, North Baltimore.

EXIQUIO GARCÍA

Exiquio "Pete" García passed away on October 3, 2006, at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. He was 86 years old. He was born on November 18, 1919, in Guanajuato, México and along with other family members settled in Kerrville, Texas. Exiquio joined the U.S. Navy during WW II. In 1950, he moved to Toledo, Ohio and eventually opened García's Dry Cleaners and Tailor Shop in the Old South End where he was a master tailor. He worked for several clothing stores in Toledo including Tiedke's. In 1978 he returned to Kerrville with his wife, Mary and his sons, Edward and Eli where he continued his tailoring business until his retirement. Among his traits, Exiquio had an insightful sense of humor and was a resourceful man who believed in pursuing ones dream and making good use of ones time and talents. He was a loving father and will be sorely missed. His ashes were interred at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Exiquio is survived by his wife, Mary of 54 years and sons, Edward (Bobbie) and Eli (Lupe); sons, Raymond (Espe) and Exiquio, Jr. (Marylou) whose mother was Esperanza Gutiérrez (deceased); sons, Robert (Maureen), Richard (Kathy), and Raul (Pat) whose mother was Alicia Gonzáles (deceased). In addition, he is survived by his brother, Evodio García (Dora); sisters, Felicitas DeAnda (Lupe), Jaunita Vargas and Susie Portiflo (Pete) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Francisco García (Christine), Frank Juárez (Mary) and sister, Luisa Ayala (Santana).

LOUIS J. LÓPEZ

Louis J. López, 94, of Lorain, OH, died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, at Community Health Partners Hospital, Lorain, following a short illness. He was born Aug. 20, 1912, in Michoacán, México. He lived in Texas for a short time before moving to Lorain in 1924, where he has lived since. López was employed at U.S. Steel's Lorain Works as a scalfer for 33 years, retiring in 1973. He enjoyed writing to area newspapers and to local, state and federal governments. He was a member of United Steel workers Local 1104 of Lorain.

Survivors include his sons, David López, Patrick López, Christopher López and John López, all of Lorain; daughters Isabel Velazquez of Lorain and Alicia López of Steubenville; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Felipe López; and a sister, Mercedes Lupe.

HELEN P. OSOWIK

Helen P. Osowik died Friday, October 20, 2006, in Aspen Grove Assisted Living, Lambertville, MI, at the age of 88. She was born March 25, 1918, and was the last surviving child of Louis and Tekla Billick's eight children. Mrs. Osowik worked at Sheraton Westgate, retiring in 1985, and spent most of her time enjoying her family. She is preceded in death by her son, John and is survived by her sons, Dennis (Carol) and Thomas (Rosmarie) Osowik; and grandsons, Michael, Peter, Charlie and Frank Osowik.

FRANCISCO L. RAMIREZ

Francisco L. Ramirez 36, of Winter Haven, FL and formerly of Findlay, OH, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. Frank was born on July 30, 1970 in Findlay, OH and graduated from Findlay High School in 1989. He is survived by his beloved mother and stepfather, Norma (Mike) Foreman, Huntertown, IN; his father, Mario Ramirez of Pandora, OH and a daughter, Alexis H. Ramirez of Leipsic, OH. He is also survived by a brother, Isreal and two sisters, Christina Ramirez and Blanca (Dan) Myers, all of Findlay, OH. Frank was employed at Buckhead Beef in Auburndale, FL as a meat cutter. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, watching football, and fishing. He was quick to smile and offer a lending hand. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

JULIA AYALA REYES

Julia Ayala Reyes, 68, of Lorain, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, in Golden Acres Nursing Home, Amherst, following a lengthy illness. She was born Dec. 22, 1937, in Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico. She moved to Lorain in 1960 and to New Briton, Conn., in 1978, returning to Lorain in 1993. Mrs. Reyes enjoyed singing Puerto Rican folk songs, camping and bingo. She was a member of Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain, and a helper in the church kitchen. She had been employed as a housekeeper at the University of Connecticut Medical Center for 15 years.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Ramón Reyes; son, Miguel Reyes of Columbia Station; daughter Nilda Morales of Lorain; brothers Frank Ayala of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Wilson Ayala of Sabana Seca and Antonio Ayala of Rochester, N.Y.; sisters Juana Ayala and Luz Virginia Ayala, both of Sabana Seca, and Severiana Ayala of Rochester; and two grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Natividad (née Pérez) Ayala, and several brothers and sisters.

CRUZ G. RUIZ Sr.

Cruz G. Ruiz Sr., 85, of Toledo, OH, passed away Friday, October 20, 2006, in his home. Cruz was born in Chihuahua, México on May 3, 1921, to Salvador and Josefina (Gallardo) Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz was employed by Doehler Jarvis, retiring in 1978. He also was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Cruz is survived by his daughters, Mary (Enrique) Canales, Josephine Gartee, Alisia (Tony Navarro) Ruiz, Rita (Francisco Vásquez) Ruiz, and Isabel "Kitty" (Harold) Young; sons, Abelino (Jeanne), Guadalupe (María), Pedro (Estella), Tony and Cruz (Nancy) Ruiz Jr.; brothers, Raimundo Dominguez, Tom Navarro, Abelino, Timio, Salvador, Santos, and George Ruiz; sister, Angelina González and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Isabel.

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