# data[].attributes.body
I’m so sorry to hear of Roman’s passing. His gentle spirit and caring and compassionate service touched many lives for the better. Roman, you will be missed.

My condolences to his family.

# data[].attributes.body
Grandparents Quintero: w/ cousins. Román in back-center.

# data[].attributes.body
Alexandra y LA con su tío Román

# data[].attributes.body
It was my privilege to work with Roman and watch him work his magic with staff, families and children. Everyone that worked with or had contact with him respected him and seemed to never forget him no matter where he went for his work with Head Start before and during his work with CDI all across the USA and Puerto Rico. He was a remarkable human being—truly one of the good ones. He will be missed - HOWEVER he lives on by his impact on so, so many❣️

Tish Wilson, New Mexico, USA

# data[].attributes.body
Visiting! Beto, Sandra, Tio Roman, Hector III, Eliazar, Gloria

# data[].attributes.body
I just want to say how much I cared about Roman and felt lucky to have him in my life. He was so kind to my family.

# data[].attributes.body
Gilbert and Elissa visiting Tio Román

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román holding baby Gilbert and Abuela Aurora watching

# data[].attributes.body
Visiting Tio Román, left to right: Eliazar, Hector III, Roman, Sandra, Beto, Elissa and Angel

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román holding his godson and nephew, Gilberto Cruz III

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román at Gilbert’s graduation party

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román and lil Gilbert at the zoo

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román, Tia Dora and Tia Letty at the zoo with lil Gilbert

# data[].attributes.body
Tia Dora and Tio Román

# data[].attributes.body
Beto, Sandra, Tía Letty and Tio Román at Gilbert’s baptism

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román with his brother Beto

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román playing with his godson Gilbert

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román with his nephews Gilbert and Joey

# data[].attributes.body
Valentito, Tio Román & Beto

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román with Barney at Beto & Sandra’s for Lil Gilbert’s 2nd birthday

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román & Beto hanging out by Beto’s Volkswagen

# data[].attributes.body
Beto & Sandra visiting Tio Roman

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román visiting Beto & Sandra and Sandra’s family

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román with his older siblings, Beto & Dora

# data[].attributes.body
Tio Román with his godson and nephew, Gilbert

# data[].attributes.body
Roman was my mentor while working with TMC in the 80s. Traveling to Wisconsin was the best. I'm glad to see Madonna's Like a Virgin, in his Playlist of faves cuz he LOVED it, along with Cindy Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun. We would hear those over n over. Oh and Boy George n Culture Club too! I have so many fond memories of Roman. He was a great and amazing person. So happy to have had him in my life! RIP my friend. You will be greatly missed!

# data[].attributes.body
El Señor Cruz hizo mucho por los niños, los empleados se aseguró que tuviéramos dignos sueldos…por siempre agradecido por su liderazgo y su empeño en nuestras escuelas para no perder nuestros trabajos… siempre con sus “buenos días” cuando llegaba a la oficina de Los Ángeles. Muchas veces uno de los últimos en irse de la oficina mientras yo limpiaba.

# data[].attributes.body
So sad to hear this news. Roman was a gentle giant in the upstream & downstream world of Migrant Head Start. He was always a consummate professional advocate for children & support to his staff & friends. On a little outing in Mexico, he made sure I was not alone after just learning my only brother had died suddenly. I’ll never forget Roman & his kindness. God Bless You Roman. God has you in his arms and won’t let go. ❤️🙌🏼🙏🏽

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman doing God’s work and helping me convince my parents on why I should NOT attend Texas A&M University.  No shade to any Aggies out there.  

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman and me supporting Linda at her senior year IB Extended Essay completion ceremony.   

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
At dinner celebrating Letty’s college graduation with Letty, José Luis, Dora, Valente, Joey, Beyonce, and Alexandra surprised us.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Celebrating Roman’s Birthday at Dora’s House. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Family Photo & Gathering at Letty's House.  Roman, Pablo, Valente, Alexandra, Dora, Letty, Joey, Jose Luis, Hector Jr. & III, Eliazar, Gloria, Linda. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
25th Wedding Anniversary.  Left to Right: Gilberto, Jr., Aurora, Roman, Gilberto, Sr., Hector Javier, Dora Alicia, and (bottom) Leticia Cruz.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Letty, Gilberto, Jr., Valente, Hector Javier, and Roman. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Roman with sister-in-law, Victoria Cruz. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
After Joey's 1st Communion.  Left to Right (top): Jose Luis, Letty, Linda, Gilberto, Sr., Roman, (bottom): Joey, Linda, Beyoncé, and Alexandra.

# data[].attributes.body
<3

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Celebrating Letty's graduation from SNHU with her Bachelor's. Left to Right: Valente, Alexandra, Letty, Jose Luis, Dora, Linda, Joey, Beyoncé, and Roman.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman with grand-nephews Hector Javier, III and Eliazar Cruz. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Gilberto, Sr., Roman, Hector Javier, Jr., and Hector Javier, Sr. at the birth of Hector Javier, III. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
"Let's go chick, where shall we go eat..." for every birthday, as March babies, we'd celebrate together. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman with the Elizondo-Cruz Family. Left to Right: Val, IV., Chanel, Dora, Val, III., Roman, Sergio, Valente, Jr., Julian, and Margot. 

# data[].attributes.body
To my beloved Tío Roman:

I can still hear your laugh, see your smile, remember your jokes, feel your “I love you, mija,” and listen to your stories about my mom as “the baby” & your trips to your favorite place in the world – New York City.

As I returned from my 3rd semester from NYU, as the plane landed and I turned on my phone, within minutes you took your last breath.  As I read the message from Joey, I smiled, almost as big and warm as your smile. I took it as a sign that you were waiting for me to arrive “home <3,” so that you may leave in peace.  You were my parents’ biggest cheerleader as they dared to dream beyond the unimaginable, so that my siblings and I could reach our God-given potential. Every occasion, big or small, my childhood is filled with you at our dinner table.

You were the sweetest, kindest, selfless, warmest, funniest, compassionate, and loving person I’ve ever known.  I will love you forever and you will always have a very, very special place in my heart.

Tío: I will live your New York City dream for you! I will continue to be an advocate for you! I will continue to march every year at PRIDE for you!  I will advocate, fight systemic racism, use my voice for the marginalized, march for equity, and model empathy for others like you always did! As the youngest in our family, I will love my mom, your baby sister, so that the special bond between you two may live-on, forever!  I will enter 2024 with you in my heart!

With love,

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Roman's Siblings at Hector & Gloria's Wedding. Left to Right: Roman, Hector Javier, Leticia, Hector Javier, Jr., Gloria, Dora Alica, a Gilberto, Jr. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman at Sergio & Margot Elizondo's Wedding with the Joey, Alexandra, and Linda Vasquez. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman with his nieces Elissa & Linda Aurora. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tio Roman with his eldest brother, Tio Gilberto, Jr., as they awaited for Gilberto III to walk the stage at University of Houston - Clear Lake. 

# data[].attributes.body
Tío, I get it. In the tangible, life is all but a juxtaposition: you were right by my parents side the day my sisters and I were each born and I was right by your side as you took your last breath. 🤍🕊️

While we may have lost one of the strongest pillar’s of the Cruz Family, your impact is immeasurable.

Thank you for inspiring, motivating, championing, being so selfless, and above all for wearing your heart on your sleeve for so many of us, Tío. Como decía grandpa Gil, (siempre serás): “el más chingon.”

Rest easy. Soar high. I love you, forever.

# data[].attributes.body
Visit this Spotify playlist to listen
(& add) to Román’s all-time favorite songs.

# data[].attributes.body
My tío would always give the best hugs!

# data[].attributes.body
Forever and always, I love you. Rest peacefully, Tío.