John B. Cruz Jr.DORCHESTER — John B. Cruz Jr. popularly known as "Bertie" was born on May 31, 1919 to Caroline and John B. Cruz, Sr. in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Bertie obtained his early education in Wareham and thereafter pursued carpentry, drafting and engineering at Boston Trade School, Boston Hart Trade School and Franklin Institute.
In 1948, Bertie established the John B. Cruz Construction Company, which later incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts in 1970. This earmarks the 60th year of successful operation for the John B. Cruz Construction, Co., Inc. founded with an old-fashioned, classic sense of hard work and commitment to family and the community.
As founder of the "oldest 100 percent minority-owned construction firm in Massachusetts, "Bertie Cruz has served as a role model and leader in minority communities throughout the Boston area, Lending his technical and business expertise to other minority firms striving to be successful in the industry. John B. Cruz Construction Co, Inc. is especially proud of the fact that minority contractors have performed an overwhelming 70 percent of its work, thus helping to foster minority businesses and strengthen inner city communities.
In addition to hiring qualified minority workers and making special efforts to utilize services of local minority businesses, Mr. Cruz also addressed one of the most pressing needs of the inner city community, that of the need for development of affordable housing. Cruz Development Co. developed its first affordable housing development in 1973, Taurus Apartments a 38-unit complex and has since developed over 1,500 units of housing. Cruz Management was founded in 1982 to manage the housing that he had developed.
For five decades, John B. Cruz, Jr. and Companies, have been recognized with numerous civic and industry honors including awards from the NAACP, National Urban League, Small Business Association (SBA), Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), National Association of Home Builders (NAH), The Boston Urban Banker's Forum and the National Association for Minority Contractor's (NAMC), The Edgar P. Benjamin Healthcare Center and Channel 56 "Unsung Heroes Award."
In May of 2000, the Board of Trustees of Bridgewater State College and President Dana Mohler Faria awarded to Bertie the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding accomplishments.
Survivors include his devoted companion Dorothy Britto; his children, Faith Cruz of Fl, John B. Cruz, III, Anthony Santio, Paul Pina and Pamela Lopes all of Boston; his siblings, Winneford Holford, Richard Cruz and Daniel "Sonny" Cruz all of Boston, Wilford "FiFi" Cruz of Washington D.C., Walter Cruz of Wareham and Andrea Rose of Mattapoisett. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. He was predeceased by his former wife Madeline (Martin) Allen.
His funeral will be Friday, Sept. 12th from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., (Rt. 28) Wareham at 8:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, Onset at 10 o'clock. Burial in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours Thursday, Sept 11th from 2-4 and 6-9 pm.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations are gratefully acknowledged in memory of Mr. Cruz. Donations may be made to: Bridgewater State College Foundation, (Note on check memo) John Bertie Cruz Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 42 Bridgewater, MA 02324-0042. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.
Published in the Standard-Times on 9/10/2008
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