Abraham Santo Tomas Cruz

Abraham S. Cruz, age 88, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. Many of the extended family called in to say farewell during his last day. He was surrounded by family in his last hour.

Abraham was a retired chemical engineer and an alumnus of Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines. After passing the board exam in 1955 (placed 5th overall), he worked for the Philippines Patent Office followed by work in the paper & petroleum industries. After immigrating with his family to the US in 1970, he then specialized in precious metals refining for the remainder of his career (30 years). He was an active & lifelong member of the United Methodist Church (Malabon UMC, Philippines; Rosemead UMC, & 1st Fil-Am UMC of Hacienda Heights, CA) & the United Presbyterian Church (Whittier, CA).

Abraham’s parents preceded him in death: Lolo Roman Sebastian Cruz, a horseback pastor in Cavite Province, and Lola Perpetua “Patring” Santo Tomas Cruz, a most compassionate fish vendor. His first wife also preceded him in death: Eugenia “Geny” Duenas Cruz,  a midwife & nurse. Surviving family members include his wife, Luz D. Ignacio; daughters, Alicia Muldrow (Ray), Bellflower, CA, Raquel Necko (John), Long Beach, CA, Leah Wood (Eric), Salt Lake City, Utah, Michelle Tanael (Mark), Las Vegas, NV; son, Roel Cruz (Marie), Lakebay, WA; stepdaughters Angelica, Rica, Arriane Layne, Malolos, Bulacan; granddaughters, Alica, Sioux Falls, SD, Kristine, Binangonan, Rizal, and Asia , Beaverton, Oregon; grandsons, Arik & Joel, Lakebay, WA, Aaron (Kim), Puyallup, WA, Morey, Tecate, Mexico, Daniel, Bellflower, CA, Jackson & Benjie, Binangonan, Rizal. Extended family: Borromeo & Domingo Families in Illinois; Carlos, Santo Tomas, & Domingo Families in Southern California; Cruz Family, Bulacan, Santa Tomas Family, Malabon, Philippines.

Abraham was characterized by his love of music (classical, ‘50s – ‘70s crooners, musicals (Sound of Music was a favorite as well as Fiddler on the Roof), gospel, & old time church hymns), tennis & bowling when he was physically able, cooking traditional Pilipino recipes, eating Japanese sushi, and traveling. What distinguished him the most was his compassionate giving: after his retirement to the Philippines, he sponsored as many high school & college students from poor families in Bulacan Province as possible so that they might have a better future. On a lighter note, Abraham had a quick wit and was the joker/clown of the family (corny or otherwise); he never passed up a chance to say something & make us laugh even if it only got the reaction, “Daddy/Abe, that’s so corny!” His favorite partners in crime growing up in Malabon and in retirement were his cousins: Mario Santo Tomas and Albert Santo Tomas.

Remembrances may be made to any charitable/humanitarian cause serving poor students.

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