Antonio Cruz-Lopez

Antonio CruzLopez

Quietly passed away on December 24, 2010 at Casa Maria Health Care Center. Antonio will be lying in state at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 until the time of the mass. The rosary will be at 6:30 pm., Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel. A mass will be held at St. Johns Catholic Church on December 30, 2010 at 10:00 am. Fr. Juan Antonio Gutierrez of St. Johns Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Antonio CruzLopez was born in Gran Morelos, Chihuahua on May 10, 1925. His parents were Trinidad Lopez Pedro Cruz. Both have preceded him in death, as well as a brother, Francisco Cruz and 2 sisters Bertha Amada Lopez Elisa Estrada all of Chihuahua, Mexico. He met his beloved wife of 56 years Sabina Medrano Cruz in Marfa, Texas where they married on May 23, 1951. She preceded him in death on March 2008.

Survivors include his daughter Guadalupe Garcia and husband Raul of Roswell his son Albert Cruz and wife Martha of Roswell grandson Stephen Anthony Garcia of Albuquerque three granddaughters Valerie M. GarciaClark and husband Jeremy of Phoenix, Arizona, Angelica Cruz and partner Lizeth Chavez of Mesa, Arizona and Erica Cruz Flores and husband Wesley and great granddaughter Gabrielle Marie Flores of Albuquerque a nephew Carlos Lopez and wife Socorro from Juarez, Mexico and niece Berta Alicia Lopez of Delicias, Chihuahua and many close friends.

Antonio and his family moved to Roswell in the early 1960s. He first worked very hard long hours as a farm laborer in the fields. Later he was employed by The Rowell Inn transporting people back and forth from the airport to the motel. Somehow with little education he always managed to find a job to support his family. His next job was at Dennys Restaurant and finally for over 25 years till his retirement he did maintenance work at Furrs Cafeteria. At that time he was well over 70 years old.

He was a beautiful person at heart. He loved dancing and enjoyed all kinds of music. He was very generous and giving while never expecting anything in return. Toni as some would call him treated all with great respect, regardless of gender, background or race. His deep blue eyes saw everyone as a friend. Our Papi was precious and will be missed so much by so many. Wed like to send a special thanks to all those who visited with him when he was alive. We also wish to thank all the young ladies at Casa Maria for being so good to him.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Garcia, Orlando Vargas, Carlos Lopez, Wesley Flores, Jeremy Clark and Pete Salazar. Honorary Pall bearers are Paul Ontiveros, Raul Saenz, Joe Shamas, Valentin Gonzalez and anyone who loved him.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
1:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, December 30, 2010
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203