Racine– Felipe "Phil" J. Cruz, Sr., age 78, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded with the love of family, on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Felipe was born in Cotulla, Texas on February 5, 1934, to the late Alfonso and Clemencia (nee: Reyes) Cruz. He grew up in an era that required him to learn the value of a hard day's work…at a very young age. Phil came to Racine in 1948.

On February 23, 1952, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Elaine Marie (nee: Dickman) Cruz. They proudly celebrated their 60 ^th Wedding Anniversary earlier this year.

With a tireless work ethic, Phil founded the FJ Cruz Trucking & Grading Company in 1955, retiring in 1985, after 30 years of service. He was a faithful husband, adored father and cherished grandfather, who always placed his family first. Among his interests, Phil was a NASCAR racing enthusiast and Dale Earnhardt's #1 fan. He also had an extensive antique toy collection. Above all, he treasured the times spent in the surroundings of his entire family.

Surviving are his loving wife, Elaine; their children, Phil (Ellen) Cruz Jr, Gregory (Vicki) Cruz, Louis A. (Eileen) Cruz, Daniel (Tammi) Cruz, Rose (Bert) Ebanks, James (Cheryl Robotka) Cruz and Suzanne (Joe Gajan) Cruz; grandchildren, Sarah, Max, Paul, Alexander, Austin, Athena, Alfonzo, Hunter and (soon to be born) Sage; step-grandchildren, David, Todd, Laura, Curtis and Joey; sister, Seledonia Ynocencio; sisters-in-law, Judith (Gerald) Gardner, Delia Cruz, Ramona Cruz and Diane Dickman; brother-in-law, Roland Fowler; extended family, Gracie and Phil Wilson along with Alphonse, Phillip, Isaac and Sara; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to his parents, Phil was preceded in death by his son, Jose Antonio Cruz;  brothers, Domingo Sr. and Ignacio Sr. Cruz; brothers-in-law, John Dickman and Keith Tucker; sister-in-law, Carol Fowler; and father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Myrtle Dickman.

Funeral services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, December 10, 2012, at 12:00 noon with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. In memory of Phil, memorials to the family have been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Heartland Hospice for the compassionate end-of-life care and support extended in Phil's time of need; and to our beloved family and circle of friends for the many prayers and acts of kindness expressed during the past several weeks. May God bless all of you!