Ignacio Torres Cruz

1930 - 2022

Ignacio "Iggy"Torres Cruz, 92, of Newport News, VA went to be with the Lord on November 10, 2022.

Iggy was a native of Guam and was the son of Ignacio Alcantara Cruz and Oliva Taitano Cruz. Iggy was predeceased by both of his parents and by two of his siblings, Eddie and Olivia ("LuLu").

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Sue C. Cruz; his sons, Chris and his wife, Cindy; Eric and his wife, Jill; Jonathan and his fiancée, Peggie; his brothers, Jimmy and Noel; his sisters, June, Cathy, May Ann, and Jane ("Lanie"); his grandchildren, Travis; Tyler and his wife, Lauren; Trace; and Jonathan - along with many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Born on October 20, 1930, Iggy lived on his Guam during World War II. He went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Physics from Berea College, a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the College of William and Mary. He also received several designations/certifications, including those as a Professional Engineer and as a Kentucky Colonel. He served for 4 years in the Kentucky National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves (Field Artillery and Guided Missiles). Iggy spent most of his professional career in the engineering and safety fields, working as a Civil Engineer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as the Safety Director for the Naval Weapons Station (Yorktown, VA), and as a member of the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB, The Pentagon). After retirement from federal government civilian service, he opened a technical services contracting company, Cruz Associates, Inc., through which he taught explosives safety classes for his government customers.

After graduating from the University of Kentucky and working on improving the interstate road system in Kentucky, he moved his family to Guam. In 1962, after a typhoon decimated that peaceful Pacific island, he then moved his family to The Peninsula where he lived for the last 60 years of his life.

He was a loving father to his three sons, helping coach their Little League Baseball teams, volunteering to be a leader in their Cub Scout (Pack 100) and Boy Scout (Troop 103) organizations, and supporting their efforts on their various school sports (tennis and basketball) teams. Iggy enjoyed playing golf and tennis. In addition, he was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan. Iggy was also a deacon and very active in several churches that he attended locally over his decades of living in Virginia.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m., and a burial immediately afterwards at Peninsula Memorial Park at 12750 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA. From 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. there will be an additional reception at The Chesapeake retirement home, 955 Harpersville Road, Newport News, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.