Rene Cruz

Rene Cruz 06/10/1934 - 09/24/2011

Rene Cruz passed away after a courageous battle with cancer and diabetes. Rene was born in Las Tunas, Cuba. Lived in Freeport, Long Island for 11 years then settled in Orlando Florida. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rosmarina Cruz and his children Dania, Vivian, Rene and Emely. He had 11 grand daughters, in order by age Odayfelle and Odraymi Fernandez, Elizabeth, Madeline, Rosemary and Natalie Artigas, Rosalinda, Jacqueline and Fanny Cruz, Olivia and Sophia Edwards and 1 grandson Gabriel Cruz.

After opening the first Cuban Restaurant in Orlando in 1971 on Orange Avenue El Gallo he was immediately known in the community for his AMAZING Cuban cuisine. He also owned and operated The Q Ban on Fairbank in Winter Park, Cafe Madrid in the Conway area and his last restaurant was Havana Diner in St Cloud.

He came here to the United States courageously in 1960 with every intension of going back to his homeland, unfortunately the political climate there never changed and his dream of living out his life there never came to be. During this time he developed a deep love for America and appreciated the opportunities available and what America stood for. Rene Cruz was proud to be an American. He stayed current with the political affairs of Cuba and enjoyed politics in general.

After his son, Dr. Rene F Cruz finished medical school and opened his own practice, Mr. and Mrs. Cruz retired. Rene spent his retired days visiting friends at their businesses and homes and stopping in regularly to his sons medical practice to "make sure everything was running smoothly."

Rene loved his friends dearly and lived for his family. He worked hard his entire life to make sure that they had more than he could have even dreamed of having for himself. We feel so blessed to have had him for a father.