Services will be Saturday for Epifanio "Pete" Cruz , who died Sunday at his Corralitos home. He was 68.
A native of Ideal (Walsenburg), Colorado, he lived in the Corralitos area since 1971. He previously lived in Seaside for 14 years.
Mr. Cruz retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. He proudly served his county in World War !!, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Following his retirement from the military, he continued working at Fort Old as a civilian until 1983.
Mr. Cruz was Chairman of the Seaside Planning Commission between 1968 and 1969, He also served as Chairman of both the Monterey Area Planning Council and the Monterey County Planning Commission between 1969 and 1970.
"Pete" was active in the Girl Scouts organization in the Monterey area and the Rainbow Girls in Santa Cruz County. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion.
Mr. Cruz is survived by his son, Tony Cruz of Canton, Michigan; his three daughters, Gemma Cruz of Corralitos, Mary Gwinn of Scottsdale, AZ, and Roxanne (Rocky) Cruz of Chico, CA; his two brothers, Tony Cruz of Reno, NV and David Cruz of Fidler, Idaho; his two sisters, Rosann Gardner of San Leandro and Lena Herrera of Colorado Springs, CO; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Cruz in 1984; and his parents, Antonio and Maria Dolores (Duran) Cruz.
Services will be at 2 PM Saturday at Mehl's Colonial Chapel in Watsonville, CA.
Burial is scheduled for 2 PM Monday at the Parade Valley Memorial Park in Watsonville, CA.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 PM Friday and 10 AM to 2 PM Saturday at the chapel.

Services will be Saturday for Epifanio "Pete" Cruz , who died Sunday at his Corralitos home. He was 68.
A native of Ideal (Walsenburg), Colorado, he lived in the Corralitos area since 1971. He previously lived in Seaside for 14 years.
Mr. Cruz retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. He proudly served his county in World War !!, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Following his retirement from the military, he continued working at Fort Old as a civilian until 1983.
Mr. Cruz was Chairman of the Seaside Planning Commission between 1968 and 1969, He also served as Chairman of both the Monterey Area Planning Council and the Monterey County Planning Commission between 1969 and 1970.
"Pete" was active in the Girl Scouts organization in the Monterey area and the Rainbow Girls in Santa Cruz County. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion.
Mr. Cruz is survived by his son, Tony Cruz of Canton, Michigan; his three daughters, Gemma Cruz of Corralitos, Mary Gwinn of Scottsdale, AZ, and Roxanne (Rocky) Cruz of Chico, CA; his two brothers, Tony Cruz of Reno, NV and David Cruz of Fidler, Idaho; his two sisters, Rosann Gardner of San Leandro and Lena Herrera of Colorado Springs, CO; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Cruz in 1984; and his parents, Antonio and Maria Dolores (Duran) Cruz.
Services will be at 2 PM Saturday at Mehl's Colonial Chapel in Watsonville, CA.
Burial is scheduled for 2 PM Monday at the Parade Valley Memorial Park in Watsonville, CA.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 PM Friday and 10 AM to 2 PM Saturday at the chapel.