Louie Cruz passed from this life on August 9th, 2018. He was a beloved husband, father, grand-father, and great-grandfather. Born on 11 September 1935, nine days after his father was swept out to sea in the Great Hurricane of 1935, he grew up in Key West. After a stint in the United States Air Force, and another 17 years in Hialeah, Florida, he and his wife, the former Mary Harris, (also a Conch) brought their four children back to their beloved Island home. They made their home on Peacon Lane. And so it was there, on the Lane, that Louie was born, lived, and died, a true rarity in today’s world.
In later years, he learned to Scuba dive and he, along with sisters and brothers in law, spent their time chasing the “viz” in the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. In their 60 year long marriage, he and Mary also traveled to Japan and Europe, as well as marveling at the wonders of the great American West.
A 1954 graduate of Key West High School and a 1974 graduate of Florida International University, he spent many years in Law Enforcement. He also learned to appreciate the beauty of his surroundings. An accomplished photographer, he has left us with an amazing collection of images that reflect that beauty.
This photo was taken in St. Mark’s Square, in Venice on our last international trip in 2014. This image reflects the joy of someone who has realized his dream of seeing the world!