Ralph Cruise

Ralph Leon Cruise NORFOLK - Retired Master Chief Ralph Leon "Doc" Cruise peacefully passed away at home Sept. 27, 2010 in the late evening. He was 92 years of age and a World War II veteran. A native of Bluefield, W.Va., Ralph was retired from the U.S. Navy as a master chief after 26 years of service. After retirement, Ralph worked in the Atlantic Fleet Special Services and the CINCLANTFLT Comptroller's Office. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve for 60 years and the Norview Masonic Lodge No. 113. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances G. Cruise; son, Ralph L. Cruise Jr. of Richmond; and daughter, Teresa Ann Cruise of Miami Beach; and a niece, Gina Cruise Schrader. Ralph was a graduate of Bluefield College and National Business College in Roanoke, Va. An athlete all his life, Ralph played basketball for Bluefield College, National Business College and the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Navy Champions, the Norfolk Navy "Flyers" in 1949 and 1950. During his service in the Navy, Ralph served on board the world's first nuclear guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach and submarine tenders USS Orion and USS Hunley. He was active at the Ocean View Senior Center and at age 90 still enjoyed square dancing with the Senior Twirlers. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Oct. 1, at Hollomon- Brown Funeral Home, 8464 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk. A graveside service, with military honors, will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. in Norfolk's Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or the First View Baptist Church, 9124 First View St., Norfolk, VA 23503. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.