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Donnie Cruz Sr.

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University of Toledo

FUNERAL HOME

Hanneman-Keller Funeral Home

416 South Arch Street

Fremont, Ohio

Donnie Cruz Obituary

Donnie Cruz, Sr

FREMONT: Donnie Cruz, Sr., 56, of Fremont, OH died Monday, December 28, 2015. He was born in Fremont on July 5, 1959 the son of Erasmo Sr. and Filomena (Guerro) Cruz.

Donnie was a 1977 graduate of Fremont Ross and went on to obtain his Associates Degree from the University of Toledo. He was an outgoing businessman, traveled the world with "Up With People", managed La Hacienda Restaurant, was active in Hispanic outreach and was known to be a jokester. Donnie was a musician who loved playing the guitar, drums, trumpet and singing. Mr. Cruz attended St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Church of God in Toledo, OH.

Surviving is his wife Sandra Cruz of Mexico; son Donnie Cruz, Jr.; daughter Sylvia Burel; grandchildren Javien Burel and Domiana Cruz; mother Filomena Esquivel all of Fremont, OH; brother Rick Cruz of Gibsonburg, OH; sister Marie Roberts of Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, brother Erasmo Cruz, Jr. and grandparents.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 1-3P.M. at Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home, 416 S. Arch Street, Fremont, Ohio. Funeral services will begin at the funeral home at 3:00P.M. on Saturday with the Rev. Nathan Bockrath and Pastor Oscar Dominguez and Pastora Sylvia Morla officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made in care of Filomena Esquivel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kokm.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by News-Messenger on Dec. 31, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Donnie Cruz

27 Entries

Susanna Peretti Binazzi

January 3, 2023

Caro Donnie sei sempre stato un ragazzo sorridente e spiritoso. grande compagno di viaggio. Ora che sei lassù continua a far gioire altre anime nel cielo. Ciao Dear Donnie you have always been a smiling and witty boy. great travel companion. Now that you're up there continue to make other souls rejoice in heave. Ciao

Mike White

January 10, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with the Cruz family. As a fellow Up With People member, I will always remember Donnie's smile. He lit up whatever room her entered. I celebrate the time we shared.

Dianne Fought

January 5, 2016

Peace to all your siblings especially Romeo Hilda and Dora

January 5, 2016

My condolences to all family and friends Donnie left behind. I travelled with Donnie in UpWithPeople, and he added so much energy and joy to our group and to the show. We'll miss you Donnie.
Hanne Halseth, Oslo, Norway

Becky Lewis

January 4, 2016

I traveled with Donnie (UWP) so sorry to hear he is no longer with you physically but he will always carry a place in your heart. May you find comfort during your difficult days ahead. I continue to lift you all up in prayer.

Richard Mallach

January 4, 2016

My thoughts & prayers for Donnie & his family. We played music together on the road in 1977-78 with Cast D. I can't help but smile when I think of him. He had a great outlook on life & helped spread a lot of joy & laughter. Thank you Donnie for everything. I will miss you.

Jeff Kinder

January 4, 2016

My condolences to all Donnie left behind as he moved on to bigger and better things. Hard to believe our "Perpetual Motion Machine" finally stopped.

Cris aka "Indio" Velarde

January 4, 2016

My Condolences to the Cruz's family, It is sad to hear about the loss of Donnie, along the same line as my fellow Uppies, Donnie was a character with many talents. But, I think we all remember him as the jokester, always full of laughter. I also traveled with in in 77-78 Cast D. He will greatly be missed.

January 4, 2016

Dear Family,
I have many fond memories of Donnie from our days in Up With People. He was a bundle of talent, wrapped in a smile.
Kevin W.

Cheryl Barnes-Neff

January 4, 2016

My sincere condolences to the Cruz family and Donnie's many friends. This quote is certainly true for Donnie - may his memory continue to shine and bless you all. "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Susanna Peretti Binazzi

January 4, 2016

I still remember the good time we had together while touring in the Up With People Cast D 77. I appreciated Donnie's smile and joy of life. He was a friend to whom share a smile, a laugh, a joke..I like to remeber him as he was long time ago in a wintertime up in Scandinavia, riding a train in Germany, playing music during the show and dancing also when possible. Le mie preghiere vanno alla sua anima e alla sua famiglia. God bless you .

Annik Laerte

January 4, 2016

Dear family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. I will always remember Donnie as a sweet and talented person, always a smile on his face! Wishing you strength to go through these very difficult times .
Annik Laerte Begium. UWP castD member of 1977

Donnie and his friends Jose and Ric during Up With People 1977-78

Dan Gunther

January 4, 2016

I was blessed with being able to bond with Donnie in Tucson during the staging of the Up With People group we traveled with during 1977-78. I spent a great deal of time with him and his roommate Jose at their host family's home. Spending a year on the road with him was joyful. He was always in a good mood and could cheer up anyone who was feeling in the dumps. Donnie had a great sense of humor was a wonderful performer as well. He had great energy and a beautiful smile and brightened up any song he soloed. I miss his humor and personality and my heart grieves with his family and friends. The world has lost a great soul. My prayers go out to his family. God bless you.

Thomas Sugawara

January 4, 2016

My condolences to the Cruz Family. Donnie and I travelled in Up With People together. Donnie brought energy to the show! I know Donnie with his personality, touched lot of lives. God Bless!

Donnie onstage in Up With People 1977

Lee Ann Markle Hamilton

January 4, 2016

I was so sorry to learn of Donnie's death. Donnie was a member of our Up With People Cast D 1977. We traveled through 8 countries and over 14 states, singing, dancing and building bridges of communication through music. Donnie was a gifted musician- he sang and played trumpet in our show. But more than that, he made us all laugh. Please know that his family will be in my heart and prayers. Donnie will be missed by many.

January 3, 2016

Dear Cruz Family, Praying for you in you loss of Donnie. I didn't know him, but I traveled with Up With People during the same era. Blessings to your family during this difficult time. Gloria Stevenson Condon

January 3, 2016

Sad to hear this news, and simultaneously smiled just thinking of Donnie. Seeing the notes from other trumpet players in the 70s at Ross, makes me remember good times. I have shared this information with the Up With people alumni also. Prayers to the family.

Miriam Cozza

January 2, 2016

Dear Filomena and family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You And your family are in our prayers for the peace of the Lord. Love, Miriam (Reyes) Cozza

Irene Reyna-Richardson

January 2, 2016

My condolences to the entire Cruz Family. God Bless his soul & may God be with you during this difficult time~

Ángel Sotelo

January 1, 2016

Donni, RIH......Descansa Por ahora, que vendrá el día en que seas levantado, por nuestro Señor......por ahora duerme......se te recordará con el mismo cariño de siempre.....DEP

Sharon Burel-Aaron

December 31, 2015

To the Cruz Family: Sorry to hear of the passing of Donnie. I have very fond memories of him as well in the Fremont Ross High School Band! To my niece and great nephew Sylvia and Javien, we will be praying for you and the entire family! God be with you all!

Jean Mcgraw

December 31, 2015

Donnie was a fun person in band at Fremont Ross. A caring student and good trumpet player. Prayers going to his family.

December 31, 2015

I remember Donnie from my childhood years.
My heartfelt sympathy are for those he left
behind. May Jesus bring you peace.
Carmen Reyes

Constance (Connie) Burel

December 31, 2015

To The Cruz Family:
May God give you strength and peace during this time!! Donnie and I were in band together and he always kept us laughing. I know he will be greatly missed!! Sending hugs and kisses to Sylvia and J!! Love you guys!!

Sandy Salas

December 31, 2015

Bless you my friend R I p ,sorry for ur loss Donnie Cruz jr

OSCAR MARROQUIN

December 30, 2015

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Donnie. I have fond memories of our time at FHS band and times after. He always had a smile, a good friend and just a great all around person. My sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Dan & Val Matthes

December 30, 2015

Our condolences to the family of Donnie Cruz. We'll never forget his jokes, smiles, great sense of humor. We were "band kids" at Fremont Ross HS, he sat next to Dan. A wonderful friend will be missed greatly, many memories will live on.
With deepest sympathy, Dan and Val (Parker) Matthes

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