In Loving Memory
Jos Luis "Louie" Cruz
February 27, 1939 - August 20, 2015

It is with deep, and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Jos Luis "Louie" Cruz, 76, of Lake Worth, Florida, who passed away peacefully on August, 20, 2015. A reserved, humble, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, he had bravely confronted and fought pancreatic cancer. He was born February 27, 1939 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and resided in Palm Beach County, Florida for the past 18 years, having moved from New York in 1997.
A funeral mass service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 26 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, 6090 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463. Interment will follow at 12:45 pm in South Florida National Cemetery (Vets' Cemetery), 6501 State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33463. The family will receive friends at Palm Beach National Chapel, 10055 Heritage Farms Road, Lake Worth, FL 33449 on Tuesday, August 25 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation (https://www.lustgarten.org/donate) for pancreatic cancer research. In addition, those wishing to sign Louie's guestbook may do so at http://www.palmbeachnationalchapel.com/obituaries.php
Following in his father's footsteps, Luis Cruz, Louie pursued his passion of Latin music after his four year tour of duty with the US Navy in 1961 playing in his father's band Conjunto Marianaxi. It was from that point, he became one of the most prolific arrangers for the Fania label during its prime. He created award winning arrangements for Willie Rosario, Ray Barretto, La Lupe, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Pete "El Conde" Rodrguez, Ismael Miranda, Ismael Quintana, Angel Canales, Willie Coln, Rubn Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Puente, Hctor Lavoe, Tpica 73, Conjunto Cl¡sico, Libre and La Sonora Matancera, among others. He contributed as a pianist with Willie Rosario, Ray Barretto, Libre and La Sonora Matancera. In addition to his involvement as a leader of four bands accompanying the likes of Ismael Miranda, Ral Marrero, Vitn Avils and Ismael Quintana.
After his retirement with the NYC Transit Authority, he and his wife relocated to Palm Beach County and finally settled in Lake Worth, Florida. He remained in touch with his musical roots and continued to be sought after to compose arrangements and participate in band appearances. On July 23, 2015, he received La Salsa Star Recognition Award at the International Salsa Festival Gala Night in Miami, Florida for his valuable contributions to the Salsa genre, which as a humble man was well deserved and timely. For those who know him, would know his favorite quote was "The rewards go to the Performer, not the Creator." In this case, the "Creator" has been recognized.
During his retirement, he worked with the Palm Beach Sheriff's Parking Enforcement at the West Palm Beach Airport seasonally from March 2001 to April 2010.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Hilda Marie Cruz of Lake Worth; three sons Luis Manuel and wife Sandra of Jupiter, Florida; Ren and wife Katina of Bridgewater, New Jersey; Joseph and wife Cindy of Melville, New York; and grandchildren Nicholas, Keana, Nikalette, Kai, Joseph, Antonio, and Maurissa; and sister Adriana Avilis and husband Sal of Carolina, Puerto Rico.