Fred Ezequiel Cruz, Sr

On Friday November 14th, 2025 at 8:20 am local time, Fred Ezequiel Cruz, Sr entered eternal rest in Phoenix AZ.

It’s a challenge to put into words the life of a man who was the protagonist of his own adventure novel.

His life can be best described as one that embodied service, love of life, animals, family and adventure.

He was born on April 10, 1949, to the late Lydia Rodriguez in Mexico City, DF, Mexico. Fred was raised by Amado Cruz, his grandfather, and Emma Cruz his aunt. He  grew up in Macuiltianguis, Oaxaca, and graduated from military school in Mexico City before serving in the Mexican Military. He later immigrated to the United States and married his loving wife of 50 years, Toefoi (Tiapula) Cruz, on March 20, 1975. She survives him.

He had an attitude of unparalleled perseverance and a thirst for adventure. From the noise of Mexico City to the mountains of Oaxaca, to Van Owen Blvd in San Fernando to Wabash in Chicago to Upland CA to Brownsburg, to Phoenix, AZ his life was characterized by adventure. The quintessential immigrant American Dream. 

He loved cars from his Impalas to the Gran Torino to his Chevy Silverado and many others. He started working at a car wash in the San Fernando Valley area of  Southern California. From sunny Southern CA, he moved to windy and cold Chicago to work nights cleaning a restaurant kitchen. While getting situated in the Windy City he helped many friends get ahead, helped them find jobs, apartments to rent all while trying to make it himself.

He returned to Southern CA where he met his loving wife. They had four children that made him proud. 

Fred loved to work and continued doing so until becoming ill in early 2024. His nearly 60-year career was dedicated to the food and service industries, where he held many roles—from General Manager to shuttle driver—approaching each job with the same joy, humility, and dedication. Fred never knew a stranger.

In addition to his wife, Fred is survived by his four children: Lorena (Joshua) Stephens, Freddy (Giannina) Cruz, Louana (Luis Sequeira) Cruz, and Mapuana Cruz; ten grandchildren: Mapuana (Will) Lengacher, Kalaina (Nate) Lemmon, Iosua Stephens, Connor and Isabella Cruz, Viviana, Katerina (Sean Fletcher), Joseph, and Angelina Salcedo, and Kalea (Braeden) Strahm; one great-grandchild, Mia Fletcher, with another on the way. He is also survived by his loving sister, Isabel Rodriquez, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

His kids were his American Dream, all of whom are well accomplished in their respective fields.

Fred loved all his animals—especially the many dogs and cats he rescued throughout his life. He loved all animals and treated them as such. Always with the utmost care, and compassion.

Fred’s adventures continue, the family invites you to share memories of Fred on the website. He wished to be brought home to rest in Oaxaca, a request his family will honor at a later date.

Please join us for lunch in celebrating his adventurous life: 

Date: December 29th, 2025