Rodolfo Cruz Vasquez
Obituary
Rodolfo (Rudy) Cruz Vasquez passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the age of 83.
Rudy was born to Jose Guadalupe and Maria Dolores Vasquez on October 3rd, 1938 in San Luis Potosi, México. He grew up with his two sisters Maria and Juanita in the United States. As a teenager and young man, Rudy worked alongside his parents in agriculture and together with his father established a business processing and delivering eggs to many of the small businesses in Watsonville.
Rudy met his beloved wife, Esther Hernandez, in 1957. They married in 1960 and settled in Moss Landing. They built a beautiful life together raising six children. To provide for his family Rudy worked at a variety of jobs including, as a foreman at Nulaid's Egg Ranch for 20 years, at Smuckers and at a squid company for 10 years. In 1973 Rudy and Esther purchased 15 acres of land in Moss Landing and started Vasquez Farms where for over 49 years they have continued to harvest strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. In 1993 they became one of the first farmers to sell berries at the Monterey and Santa Cruz Farmers Markets, later expanding out to over 20 markets including locations in San Jose, San Francisco and Manteca.
Known for his extreme generosity, he made sure to take care of his immediate family, extended family, friends and even strangers. Always willing to give to those in need or lend a helping hand. Rudy participated in 2 organizations that established cultural traditions in the Watsonville community, The Penny Club and Las Fiestas Patrias, where he would sponsor floats for local parades.
He will always be remembered as being the first one out on the dance floor and his sense of humor will remind us that there is always room for laughter in life.
Rudy was preceded in his death by his father Jose Guadalupe Vasquez, his mother Maria Dolores Cruz Vasquez, and son Fernando Vasquez. Rudy is survived by his wife Esther Vasquez, daughters Sophia Hawes, Jovita Molina, Ruby Vasquez, Carmen Velasquez, son Rudy Vasquez Jr., and his sisters Maria Valenzuela and Juanita Martinez. He was blessed to have had 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited on Sunday, March 13th at 7:00 PM at the Ave Maria Memorial Chapel in Watsonville. On Monday March 14th, funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM at Holy Eucharist Church, 527 Corralitos Rd, Watsonville, followed by a graveside service at Castroville Cemetery in Moss Landing.
Flowers can be sent to Ave Maria Memorial Chapel; 609 Main St., Watsonville. If preferred a donation can be made to the Watsonville Campesino Appreciation Caravan at gofundme.com/LaborEsencial
Published in The Pajaronian · March 3, 2022