Miguel Angel Cruz Sr.,75, of Lutz, Fl. passed away Saturday, July 23, 2016 in Tampa, Fl. at 3:27 a.m. Miguel was born in Christiansted, St. Croix in 1940 to his parents Pablo Cruz Sr. and Leonora Nieves Cruz. He was one of 10 children.
Miguel worked for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and retired after 30 years. He started as a Lineman, promoted to Foreman, then became Chief of Maintenance, Assistant Line Superintendent and finally retired as a Line Superintendent and Employee of the Year in 1991. Miguel went to any part of the island to restore electrical power, many times in remote areas not accessible by car much less a crew with large trucks and power poles. Miguel was very devoted to his job, often being called in the middle of the night to respond to emergencies. Consequently, he was very well known on the island. Prior employment as a teenager was at Golden Cow Dairy and as a Sugar Cane Cutter.
Miguel was invited to play with the Triple A Baseball League from Puerto Rico but declined because of his obligation to provide for his family. Miguel enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling. Miguel also liked pickup trucks and racing cars often giving them names, on one of which he named "Mr. Terrific".
Miguel's first love was his family, but anyone who knew him knew about his passion for fishing, baseball, and cruising with his family.
Many people comment on how strong Miguel was. Not only did he work 24-hour shifts at times, he was devoted to providing for his family of 10 children. He built three homes brick by brick with the help of his friends and family. After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, his family was forced to separate for 10 months while he rebuilt his home and helped to restore power on the island.
Miguel often talked about how hard island life was after the Hurricane. Restoring power to an island that had lost 90% of its power and rebuilding was no small undertaking that took its toll. It was then that Miguel decided it was time to retire and to move to a life that would be easier for him and his family.
During the separation from his wife and family after Hurricane Hugo, Miguel began studying the bible with one of Jehovah's Witnesses. After continuing his studies in Florida, he symbolized his dedication to Jehovah along with his twin daughters at the Plant City Assembly Hall in 1995.
Now as a retiree in Florida, Miguel enjoyed going out in the preaching work. Miguel also enjoyed fishing and owned several small boats, but always was forced to sell them because of his affliction with Rheumatoid Arthritis. So he settled for the next best thing. He would charter boats out of Tarpon Springs and Clearwater. What was once a way to provide and put food on the table for his large family was now a passion he enjoyed for Sport.
Miguel was also an avid Baseball fan, always rooting for the Rays and Yankees, and at times known to walk with a hand-held radio or TV to catch the games.
One thing his family and friends loved about Miguel was he was always the man you could call on. He was honored to help when he could. He was a "Jack of all trades, and a Master of None." Miguel was an electrician, plumber, carpenter, auto mechanic, painter, tile setter, and the list goes on. He instilled in those who learned from him an excellent work ethic. His sons, son-n-laws, nephews often say they owe everything they know to him. He wasn't afraid to laugh at his rough edges, crooked cuts, wide grout lines, or the fact he would go to Home Depot three times to get the one thing he went there for but kept forgetting to get, or the fact that he bought 3 toilets in one day because he took a hammer to each one of them. We often reminded Miguel to measure twice and cut once, not the other way around. But that's our Papi. He would always say, "If it's crooked, it's ok, you can't see it from an airplane."
Anyone who knew Miguel knew him for being a great storyteller. He would catch the attention of an entire room with his animations and thunderous sound effects that only Papi would use.
Most importantly was Papi's love for Jehovah. He raised his children in the truth and was happy to see his youngest daughter Andie get baptized at the last convention he attended in July 2015. Over the last year he was unable to attend meetings but listened telephonically when he could. The meeting he listened to he got to hear his son-n-law give his first talk. Miguel's favorite scripture is Jeramiah 10:23, "I well know, Oh Jehovah, that man's way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.
Miguel was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Carmen, Josephine, and Martha; brothers Rodolfo and Rueben.
Those who are left to treasure his memory is his devoted and loving wife of nearly 43 years Gail R. Tutein Cruz; his siblings Iris Cruz (Julio-Luis), Marciello Cruz, Isabella (Eddie), Pablo Cruz Jr (Evelyn); his children Graciela Cruz-Figueroa (Carlos), Miguel Cruz Jr (Amendra), Betty Cruz, Zaida Lenora Cruz-Torres (Edwin), Nilsa Avalo, Marian Tutein Cruz, Miava Tutein Cruz- Setia (Rohit), Jose Rivera, Frederick Henry, and Mara-Andina Tutein Cruz-Cordon (Eddie); 15 Grandchildren, 19 Great Grandchildren and numerous family and friends.
Miguel passed away with his family at his bedside expressing that he will see his family and friends, confident his hope of the resurrection.

SERVICE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016 –1:OO P.M.
KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
707 W. LUTZ LAKE FERN ROAD
LUTZ, FLORIDA 33548

Please join the family at a reception following this talk at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O Lakes Boulevard, Land O Lakes, Florida 34639