Cruz De La Torre Maturino lost his battle with lung cancer on Friday, December 20, 2024. He battled honorably until the very end. His bloodline is nothing if not resilient and he of course, was no different.

Cruz was born on September 26, 1942 in Mexicali, Mexico to Catalina and Cruz Maturino; his namesake. He was second youngest of 5 and like his parents, shared a powerful, yet gracious aura. His sisters Patricia, Virginia, his brother Salvador and both his parents proceeded him on his long walk to Heaven. He talked about them constantly. He is survived by his older sister Hortensia, his wife Claire, his 5 children and 7 grandchildren.

Cruz had a rich and vibrant life; to which those who knew him as “Peewee,” could surely attest. His parents sought a better life for their family and moved to Orange County in the 40's when he was a young child. He spent his youth with his family in the greater Alta Vista/La Habra area of Southern California. He was a true journeyman, having lived a thousand lives in the time that he was here. He was a migrant worker. He was an avocado farmer. He worked in a steel factory. He was a caddy. He did social work. He was a Psych Tech. He pursued nursing. He even went back to college in his 60's despite having no idea how to use the internet; JanSport backpack and all. At the end of the day, he found solace helping people. His life was spent growing things and fostering the lives of people around him.

When he spoke, the entire world lent him their ears.

He was a man of faith and trusted in God. His wife, children and grandchildren were at his bedside in his final moments tucked between rocky mountains and rushing springs. A beautiful backdrop for his beautiful life; although he frequently mentioned missing the rolling hills and summer weather of his younger days in sunny California. His final days were spent reminiscing with his family from a hospital bed. In true Maturino fashion, he found grace and humor in every happenstance and conversation he came across. Recanting stories of endless orange groves, backyard ballads or his mother's secret Mirepoix and the infamous rice that fed countless mouths over the years; which to this day, no one can seem to quite recreate. His family and friends stretched from coast to coast and beyond. His calm, pensive demeanor and his spontaneous, honest humor, entranced and befuddled all that came to speak his name. He loved everyone. He befriended everyone. And the world embraced him with every word and every story.

Cruz attended Washington school in La Habra and graduated from La Habra H.S. in 1961. A Highlander until the very end. "There can be only one." He worked most of his life for the County of Orange Mental Health Department. Cruz and Claire married in 1982 and lived in Brea, California for most of their lives. Fitting that a man with a green thumb would find his way to the City of Trees. He was a Licensed Psychiatric Technician and attended Cypress College for his AA and RN. He retired in 1991 after a debilitating and tragic injury on the job that disabled him. In 2020 he and his wife followed their daughter and grandchildren to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Cruz was a loving husband and an attentive father. Many would say he was stoic. Perhaps it was his father's hat that he inherited. But beneath the quiet, gentle, and generous man who loved his family, was a curious intellect. An avid reader and student; he was always learning something. He would pine over any medium that told a story. He was the last bastion of humans, who sat on their porch every morning and read the newspaper; front to back. His favorite song was “Volver, Volver” by Vicente Fernández. He was a true mariachi at heart, thanks to his father. His favorite movies were the Godfather Series, The Rocky Series and The Lion King. We always found that funny. Despite his complex exterior, it seems that he and Mufasa both shared a noble, softer side, deep down. After his injury, he became a stay at home father. Yet he attended all of his children’s events, curricular, extra or otherwise. Every single one of them.

He will be missed and loved eternally by all that were fortunate enough to say they knew him.

A funeral service will be held at Grace OC Church on Saturday, February 1, 2025 10am at 8095 E Crystal Dr, Anaheim, CA 92807.

A second memorial will be held in New Jersey shortly after. Date still TBD.

If Cruz ever moved you and you'd like to donate, all proceeds are going to help pay for medical bills and funeral costs for the family.

❤️

Until the end.