John "Jack" Cruice, of Ridley Township, a decorated World War II Army veteran and longtime veterans champion who believed that the best way to shape the future of the country he loved was to share memories of the past, died Sunday at Taylor Hospital. He was 80.
Mr. Cruice was 18 when he landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. Many decades later, he would oversee a project to restore and rededicate a WWII memorial in Ridley Township, honoring those who never made it home."
We must know history," he said at the time. "If we do not know history, we cannot control the future."
Ridley School Board Vice President John F.X. Reilly remembered Mr. Cruice as extraordinary, a gifted orator who could bring a crowd to tears."
Jack made us remember the accomplishments of brave men who saved the world from Nazi tyranny," Reilly said. "He was living history and he wanted history to live."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Cruice was the son of the late William and Marie O'Neill Cruice. He was a resident of the Woodlyn section of Ridley Township for more than 50 years.
He graduated in 1943 from LaSalle High School, where he lettered in track. His first job was as a soda jerk.
A photo engraver, he worked at the former Beck Engraving Co. in Philadelphia for 45 years. He retired in 1987. From then on, Mr. Cruice immersed himself in veterans' causes and activities. He organized many reunions, and served on countless committees.
He visited many schools and organizations, always eager to share his slice of history.
Mr. Cruice was an Army sergeant from April 13, 1943, to Feb. 8, 1946, serving in the 131st Anti-Aircraft Battalion. He landed in Europe in July 1944, and saw action in France, Belgium and Holland.
He suffered a life-threatening injury in Maastricht, Holland, on Nov. 10, 1944, when anti-aircraft artillery fired back on him, burning his bronchial tubes and esophagus.
Mr. Cruice finished his service career as a mortar instructor at Fort Knox, Ky. He was awarded numerous ribbons and commendations for his military service.
He was an active member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, where he was a lector since 1956. Also, he worked on various church committees and school organizations. In 1994, he started the Veterans' Mass at the church.
In 1966, when a burial site of the Revolutionary Army was discovered in Washington Square in Philadelphia, he spearheaded a move to establish an eternal flame at the site.
In 1997, when Ridley school directors asked him to head a committee to erect a new WWII memorial in the township, he helped to raise $50,000 to get it done. The memorial was dedicated on Nov. 3, 2001.
Mr. Cruice had been chairman of three community parades, including the Delaware County 300th Anniversary Parade in 1987 the Ridley Township Millennium Parade in 2001 and the Ridley Township 50th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII parade in 1991.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518. In 1961, he was elected third Grand Knight of the counsel, and held the post for two years. Later, he held the title Past Grand Knight.
In 1964, he was appointed District Deputy of District 13 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a fourth-degree member of the Cardinal Dougherty Assembly, and in 1976 served as Faithful Navigator of the assembly.
Also, he was a member and past commander of Catholic War Veterans, the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the photo engravers union.
Through it all, he found time to be Santa Claus for many organizations and department stores.
When he was named an "Everyday Hero" by the Daily Times in 2003, Cruice said anyone who made massive contributions to the country, like servicemen and women, doctors and nurses, were heroes in his book. "
I'm married to one," he said, referring to wife, Catherine.
In another interview, he said all the best days of his life revolved around family - the day he married and the days his children and grandchildren were born.
Another time, Mr. Cruice would echo the words of President John F. Kennedy as his favorite quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Survivors: Wife of 58 years, Catherine Haggerty Cruice three sons, John J. Cruice Jr. of Lansdowne, Michael Cruice of Ridley Park, and Kevin Cruice of West Chester three daughters, Kathleen Decker of Morton, Marianne Hoffner of Swarthmore and Maureen Donegan of Milmont Park, Ridley Township sister, Anna McNabb of Ardmore and 18 grandchildren.
Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday, Our Lady of Peace Church, Milmont Avenue, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday, at the church.
Burial: East Lawn Cemetery, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
Mr. Cruice was 18 when he landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. Many decades later, he would oversee a project to restore and rededicate a WWII memorial in Ridley Township, honoring those who never made it home."
We must know history," he said at the time. "If we do not know history, we cannot control the future."
Ridley School Board Vice President John F.X. Reilly remembered Mr. Cruice as extraordinary, a gifted orator who could bring a crowd to tears."
Jack made us remember the accomplishments of brave men who saved the world from Nazi tyranny," Reilly said. "He was living history and he wanted history to live."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Cruice was the son of the late William and Marie O'Neill Cruice. He was a resident of the Woodlyn section of Ridley Township for more than 50 years.
He graduated in 1943 from LaSalle High School, where he lettered in track. His first job was as a soda jerk.
A photo engraver, he worked at the former Beck Engraving Co. in Philadelphia for 45 years. He retired in 1987. From then on, Mr. Cruice immersed himself in veterans' causes and activities. He organized many reunions, and served on countless committees.
He visited many schools and organizations, always eager to share his slice of history.
Mr. Cruice was an Army sergeant from April 13, 1943, to Feb. 8, 1946, serving in the 131st Anti-Aircraft Battalion. He landed in Europe in July 1944, and saw action in France, Belgium and Holland.
He suffered a life-threatening injury in Maastricht, Holland, on Nov. 10, 1944, when anti-aircraft artillery fired back on him, burning his bronchial tubes and esophagus.
Mr. Cruice finished his service career as a mortar instructor at Fort Knox, Ky. He was awarded numerous ribbons and commendations for his military service.
He was an active member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, where he was a lector since 1956. Also, he worked on various church committees and school organizations. In 1994, he started the Veterans' Mass at the church.
In 1966, when a burial site of the Revolutionary Army was discovered in Washington Square in Philadelphia, he spearheaded a move to establish an eternal flame at the site.
In 1997, when Ridley school directors asked him to head a committee to erect a new WWII memorial in the township, he helped to raise $50,000 to get it done. The memorial was dedicated on Nov. 3, 2001.
Mr. Cruice had been chairman of three community parades, including the Delaware County 300th Anniversary Parade in 1987 the Ridley Township Millennium Parade in 2001 and the Ridley Township 50th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII parade in 1991.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518. In 1961, he was elected third Grand Knight of the counsel, and held the post for two years. Later, he held the title Past Grand Knight.
In 1964, he was appointed District Deputy of District 13 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a fourth-degree member of the Cardinal Dougherty Assembly, and in 1976 served as Faithful Navigator of the assembly.
Also, he was a member and past commander of Catholic War Veterans, the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the photo engravers union.
Through it all, he found time to be Santa Claus for many organizations and department stores.
When he was named an "Everyday Hero" by the Daily Times in 2003, Cruice said anyone who made massive contributions to the country, like servicemen and women, doctors and nurses, were heroes in his book. "
I'm married to one," he said, referring to wife, Catherine.
In another interview, he said all the best days of his life revolved around family - the day he married and the days his children and grandchildren were born.
Another time, Mr. Cruice would echo the words of President John F. Kennedy as his favorite quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Survivors: Wife of 58 years, Catherine Haggerty Cruice three sons, John J. Cruice Jr. of Lansdowne, Michael Cruice of Ridley Park, and Kevin Cruice of West Chester three daughters, Kathleen Decker of Morton, Marianne Hoffner of Swarthmore and Maureen Donegan of Milmont Park, Ridley Township sister, Anna McNabb of Ardmore and 18 grandchildren.
Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday, Our Lady of Peace Church, Milmont Avenue, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday, at the church.
Burial: East Lawn Cemetery, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
John "Jack" Cruice, of Ridley Township, a decorated World War II Army veteran and longtime veterans champion who believed that the best way to shape the future of the country he loved was to share memories of the past, died Sunday at Taylor Hospital. He was 80.
Mr. Cruice was 18 when he landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. Many decades later, he would oversee a project to restore and rededicate a WWII memorial in Ridley Township, honoring those who never made it home."
We must know history," he said at the time. "If we do not know history, we cannot control the future."
Ridley School Board Vice President John F.X. Reilly remembered Mr. Cruice as extraordinary, a gifted orator who could bring a crowd to tears."
Jack made us remember the accomplishments of brave men who saved the world from Nazi tyranny," Reilly said. "He was living history and he wanted history to live."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Cruice was the son of the late William and Marie O'Neill Cruice. He was a resident of the Woodlyn section of Ridley Township for more than 50 years.
He graduated in 1943 from LaSalle High School, where he lettered in track. His first job was as a soda jerk.
A photo engraver, he worked at the former Beck Engraving Co. in Philadelphia for 45 years. He retired in 1987. From then on, Mr. Cruice immersed himself in veterans' causes and activities. He organized many reunions, and served on countless committees.
He visited many schools and organizations, always eager to share his slice of history.
Mr. Cruice was an Army sergeant from April 13, 1943, to Feb. 8, 1946, serving in the 131st Anti-Aircraft Battalion. He landed in Europe in July 1944, and saw action in France, Belgium and Holland.
He suffered a life-threatening injury in Maastricht, Holland, on Nov. 10, 1944, when anti-aircraft artillery fired back on him, burning his bronchial tubes and esophagus.
Mr. Cruice finished his service career as a mortar instructor at Fort Knox, Ky. He was awarded numerous ribbons and commendations for his military service.
He was an active member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, where he was a lector since 1956. Also, he worked on various church committees and school organizations. In 1994, he started the Veterans' Mass at the church.
In 1966, when a burial site of the Revolutionary Army was discovered in Washington Square in Philadelphia, he spearheaded a move to establish an eternal flame at the site.
In 1997, when Ridley school directors asked him to head a committee to erect a new WWII memorial in the township, he helped to raise $50,000 to get it done. The memorial was dedicated on Nov. 3, 2001.
Mr. Cruice had been chairman of three community parades, including the Delaware County 300th Anniversary Parade in 1987 the Ridley Township Millennium Parade in 2001 and the Ridley Township 50th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII parade in 1991.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518. In 1961, he was elected third Grand Knight of the counsel, and held the post for two years. Later, he held the title Past Grand Knight.
In 1964, he was appointed District Deputy of District 13 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a fourth-degree member of the Cardinal Dougherty Assembly, and in 1976 served as Faithful Navigator of the assembly.
Also, he was a member and past commander of Catholic War Veterans, the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the photo engravers union.
Through it all, he found time to be Santa Claus for many organizations and department stores.
When he was named an "Everyday Hero" by the Daily Times in 2003, Cruice said anyone who made massive contributions to the country, like servicemen and women, doctors and nurses, were heroes in his book. "
I'm married to one," he said, referring to wife, Catherine.
In another interview, he said all the best days of his life revolved around family - the day he married and the days his children and grandchildren were born.
Another time, Mr. Cruice would echo the words of President John F. Kennedy as his favorite quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Survivors: Wife of 58 years, Catherine Haggerty Cruice three sons, John J. Cruice Jr. of Lansdowne, Michael Cruice of Ridley Park, and Kevin Cruice of West Chester three daughters, Kathleen Decker of Morton, Marianne Hoffner of Swarthmore and Maureen Donegan of Milmont Park, Ridley Township sister, Anna McNabb of Ardmore and 18 grandchildren.
Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday, Our Lady of Peace Church, Milmont Avenue, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday, at the church.
Burial: East Lawn Cemetery, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
Mr. Cruice was 18 when he landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. Many decades later, he would oversee a project to restore and rededicate a WWII memorial in Ridley Township, honoring those who never made it home."
We must know history," he said at the time. "If we do not know history, we cannot control the future."
Ridley School Board Vice President John F.X. Reilly remembered Mr. Cruice as extraordinary, a gifted orator who could bring a crowd to tears."
Jack made us remember the accomplishments of brave men who saved the world from Nazi tyranny," Reilly said. "He was living history and he wanted history to live."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Cruice was the son of the late William and Marie O'Neill Cruice. He was a resident of the Woodlyn section of Ridley Township for more than 50 years.
He graduated in 1943 from LaSalle High School, where he lettered in track. His first job was as a soda jerk.
A photo engraver, he worked at the former Beck Engraving Co. in Philadelphia for 45 years. He retired in 1987. From then on, Mr. Cruice immersed himself in veterans' causes and activities. He organized many reunions, and served on countless committees.
He visited many schools and organizations, always eager to share his slice of history.
Mr. Cruice was an Army sergeant from April 13, 1943, to Feb. 8, 1946, serving in the 131st Anti-Aircraft Battalion. He landed in Europe in July 1944, and saw action in France, Belgium and Holland.
He suffered a life-threatening injury in Maastricht, Holland, on Nov. 10, 1944, when anti-aircraft artillery fired back on him, burning his bronchial tubes and esophagus.
Mr. Cruice finished his service career as a mortar instructor at Fort Knox, Ky. He was awarded numerous ribbons and commendations for his military service.
He was an active member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, where he was a lector since 1956. Also, he worked on various church committees and school organizations. In 1994, he started the Veterans' Mass at the church.
In 1966, when a burial site of the Revolutionary Army was discovered in Washington Square in Philadelphia, he spearheaded a move to establish an eternal flame at the site.
In 1997, when Ridley school directors asked him to head a committee to erect a new WWII memorial in the township, he helped to raise $50,000 to get it done. The memorial was dedicated on Nov. 3, 2001.
Mr. Cruice had been chairman of three community parades, including the Delaware County 300th Anniversary Parade in 1987 the Ridley Township Millennium Parade in 2001 and the Ridley Township 50th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII parade in 1991.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518. In 1961, he was elected third Grand Knight of the counsel, and held the post for two years. Later, he held the title Past Grand Knight.
In 1964, he was appointed District Deputy of District 13 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a fourth-degree member of the Cardinal Dougherty Assembly, and in 1976 served as Faithful Navigator of the assembly.
Also, he was a member and past commander of Catholic War Veterans, the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the photo engravers union.
Through it all, he found time to be Santa Claus for many organizations and department stores.
When he was named an "Everyday Hero" by the Daily Times in 2003, Cruice said anyone who made massive contributions to the country, like servicemen and women, doctors and nurses, were heroes in his book. "
I'm married to one," he said, referring to wife, Catherine.
In another interview, he said all the best days of his life revolved around family - the day he married and the days his children and grandchildren were born.
Another time, Mr. Cruice would echo the words of President John F. Kennedy as his favorite quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Survivors: Wife of 58 years, Catherine Haggerty Cruice three sons, John J. Cruice Jr. of Lansdowne, Michael Cruice of Ridley Park, and Kevin Cruice of West Chester three daughters, Kathleen Decker of Morton, Marianne Hoffner of Swarthmore and Maureen Donegan of Milmont Park, Ridley Township sister, Anna McNabb of Ardmore and 18 grandchildren.
Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday, Our Lady of Peace Church, Milmont Avenue, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday, at the church.
Burial: East Lawn Cemetery, Milmont Park, Ridley Township.
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Sgt US Army World War II
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