We mourn the passing of our dear friend and family man Orlando Cruz-Lozada, who is survived by his wife Chantal Latham deCruz, daughter Shaylah Corry Cruz, son Orlando Dante Cruz, and grandchild Shai Vela Smith. His sisters Ines Ware and Idarmis Cruz-Lozada, sister-in-law; TiAnn Ramsey, his close cousins; Janette Velasquez, Susana Mercado, Jose Mercado, and Antonio Cruz, close nephew Daniel Orlando Rendon.
Born in beautiful Carolina, Puerto Rico, he was raised and adored by his late parents, Fructuoso Cruz Osorio and Celsa Lozada Melendez. Growing up in Puerto Rico he was known then and now as the life of the party, with his charm and charisma it was impossible not to enjoy his presence! He enjoyed playing volleyball, speed boats, beautiful cars and nothing more than spending time and cooking with his family and putting a smile on all of our faces. But on the serious side, he was a man of great mind and profound knowledge as he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and Ana G Mendez University with his master’s in accounting where he would use those lessons in the future while working for the Virgin Islands Housing Authority.
Venturing off into the world, he found his next adventure in Chicago while on the road with Ebony Fashion Fair, where he found his love for fashion, modeling, and his future wife, Chantal. They toured the United States together for a couple of years, showing the world the true meaning behind fashion flair until they moved on to their next adventure and moved to the Virgin Islands in 1981. Then shortly after, they got married in 1985. Some of you may remember their various modeling shows with “ChanTi Cruz Productions” at various locations such as the Reichold Center and Palm Passage.
After moving to and residing in St. Thomas for almost 40 years, Orlando then found his love for cooking and how he could share that love with everyone. The Lechon King Roadhouse was a staple, a meeting place, a home away from home. It was a place where you could find the best Lechon, laugh with the greatest of them, and hear from one of the best Congeros while joining in with the band! It’s where some of our best Saturdays were spent and on June 15th, we will have one more Saturday to spend celebrating the life and love of our father, husband, brother and friend, Orlandito. We hope you can meet us there at 3 p.m. in all white under the tree as he spreads his wings, and we send him off in his favorite spot.
Professional services have been entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
