Paging Dr. Cruz, ... Dr. Cruz... Please report to the OR in Heaven.... Stat!
During the early morning hours of July 29, 2024, Horacio R. Cruz, MD peacefully passed to be with his beloved wife Blanca Cruz in the hands of the Lord. He was 96 years young.
Dr. Cruz was a '53 graduate of the UST Medical School in Manila, Pl. After graduating, he married Blanca Llamas on May 25, 1955 and immigrated to the US to do his post Graduate Training. He completed his Post Graduate Surgery Residency at various institutions: Mary Mount Hospital, in Cleveland; at Sloan & Kettering Hospital in Manhattan; and at Sommerville Hospital in Boston. He was a respected and beloved Surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area practicing almost 60 years. He treated thousands of patients from his office in Pinole, CA. He was on staff at various Bay Area hospitals including Alta Bates in Berkeley, John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek, Brookside Hospital in San Pablo, and Doctor's Hospital in Pinole.
Horacio was born in Pasig, Philippines to Dr. Fidel Cruz and Dr Hortensia Rustia, two renown dentists in Manila. His family included Fidel Jr. DDS, (Totong), Teresita Sison, Mely Enriquez, and Josefina Radil, all prominent Attorneys, Judges and Businessmen in the post WWII Philippines.
In between his busy work schedule, he enjoyed traveling the world with Blanca and became a quite good amateur photographer. He was famous for candidly taking your photo and creating a nice, framed portrait and surprising friends with this gift. On his many travels, he would choose 1 photo from a world landmark to make a Christmas Card saying. "I came all this way to take this one picture."
'Doc' as he was affectionally known to friends, has two sons: Christopher Cruz, MD from ST Louis, MO.; and Brian Cruz from San Diego, CA.
Chris's family includes spouse Melissa and their children: twins Bryan & Brendan, Cameron, and Vanessa Hong. They have one grandchild Ronnie, daughter of Phil & Vanessa Hong.
Brian's Brood includes spouse Dianna, daughters Amber Mohring and Jacqueline Cruz. Their grandchildren are Cruz & Rose, son and daughter of Amber & Will Mohring.
Visitation will be at St Joseph's Cemetery in San Pablo on September 6 from 4-8 pm. Mass will be 9 am at St Joseph's on Sat Sept 7th. He will be Interred at The Cathedral of Light at Lake Merritt Oakland on Sept 7, 2024, at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers please make any donations to St. David’s of Wales Catholic Church, 5641 Esmond Ave., Richmond, CA 94805-1112. Phone – 510-237-1531. Please add a memo stating “In Memory of Dr. Horacio R Cruz”
For Further information, please contact Eduardo De Loa at St. Joseph’s Cemetery – 510-234-2012
