{"id":74700,"date":"2025-01-01T19:52:48","date_gmt":"2025-01-02T00:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/?p=74700"},"modified":"2025-01-01T19:52:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T00:52:48","slug":"in-loving-memory-of-juan-johnny-manalisay-cruz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/01\/in-loving-memory-of-juan-johnny-manalisay-cruz\/","title":{"rendered":"In Loving Memory of Juan “Johnny” Manalisay Cruz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Juan “Johnny” Manalisay Cruz<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

APRIL 12, 1951 \u2013 DECEMBER 17, 2024<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Juan Manalisay Cruz, 73, beloved husband of Jo-Anne E. Sanchez-Cruz, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juan is survived by his children: Sangmee \u201cAnnie\u201d Cruz-Fochtman (Daughter) and her husband Jeff Fochtman, Roberto L. Sanchez (Son) and his wife Tysha Carasquillo, Rosa C. Sanchez (Daughter) and Mina Cruz (Daughter); his grandchildren: Kirra and Kellan Fochtman, Angel, Roberto, and MiKayla Sanchez, Genesis Vasquez, Karis-Joi Sanchez, JonMichael, Angelina, and Noelani Sanchez, Joia Cruz, his siblings: Jesus \u201cBobolike\u201d Cruz and Grace Taitague Cruz, Mae Cruz, Carmelita Cruz and George Crisostomo, Norbert and Marivic Cruz , Michael and Barbara Cruz, Raymond and Evelyn Cruz, Annie Cruz, Clotilde (Annie) Cabrera Cruz, Francisco (Jeba)Garrido, his service dog \u201cRuth\u201d and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives from the Gentry family. He was the son of the late Jose Cruz and Ana Cruz and was predeceased by Pedro Cruz (Brother), Fransisco \u201cKiko\u201d Cruz (Brother), Joseph Cruz (Brother), Vicente Cruz (Brother), Catherine Garrido (Sister), and Miguel Sanchez (Son). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juan, affectionately known as \u201cJohnny\u201d by his family, was born in Merizo, Guam on April 12, 1951. He joined the Army in 1969. Sergeant First Class (Retired) Cruz was a highly decorated Vietnam war hero who served in the US Army for 23 years. He was awarded the Purple Heart three times and the Bronze Star with \u201cV\u201d device. Juan was an active member of the Purple Heart Association, and the American Legion. Upon retirement from active duty military service, Juan went on to teach, coach and mentor cadets as a JROTC Instructor at St. Croix Central High and Charlotte Amalie High Schools in the US Virgin Islands. Juan was a devout Catholic and served the Lord in many ways to include his membership in the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Men\u2019s Emmaus, and the Faith Riders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He enjoyed riding his Harley, collecting stamps, tinkering and road tripping. Juan was a devoted family man. Most of all he loved cooking, BBQing, entertaining and creating a loving hospitable environment for his family and friends. This giant of a man will be dearly missed by his family, friends and all those that knew him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Juan “Johnny” Manalisay Cruz APRIL 12, 1951 \u2013 DECEMBER 17, 2024 Juan Manalisay Cruz, 73, beloved husband of Jo-Anne E. Sanchez-Cruz, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024.  Juan is survived by his children: Sangmee \u201cAnnie\u201d Cruz-Fochtman (Daughter) and her husband Jeff Fochtman, Roberto L. Sanchez (Son) and his wife Tysha Carasquillo, Rosa C. Sanchez (Daughter) and Mina […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":74699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[37,275,24,23],"class_list":{"0":"post-74700","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-obits","8":"tag-auburndale","9":"tag-funeral","10":"tag-in-loving-memory","11":"tag-obituary"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/img_1531-2-1.jpg?fit=872%2C576&ssl=1","aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t