Feliciano "Frank" Manuel Cruz Jr.

Feliciano ("Frank") Manuel Cruz, Jr.

Feliciano Manuel Cruz, Jr. was born on a university campus, at Central Luzon State University, Philippines. He was nurtured from the very beginning in a world of ideas, inquiry, and learning. The son of two devoted educators—his mother, a University of the Philippines and Columbia University alumna, and his father, a graduate of University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and Oklahoma State University—he was raised in an environment where curiosity was limitless and the pursuit of knowledge was a way of life.

He earned academic degrees from Central Luzon State University in the Philippines, Kasetsart University in Thailand, and Colorado State University in the United States. Guided by the intellectual legacy of his parents, Feliciano's journey was marked by a deep commitment to scholarship, compassion, and purpose. His work and presence touched the lives of many across borders and generations.

His pursuit of education led him to post-University and Master's studies in the United States. Continuing the agricultural path of his parents led Feliciano (or Frank, or Turbo, or Franco as the Americanos know him) to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. He asked his love, Madeline, to move to the US, where they got married and started a family and had one child, JR (Justin Rocky). If you ask JR if Frank and Madge wanted to have other kids, he will tell you they got it right the first time so no need to. (JR will also tell you that his parents named him "Rocky" because he was conceived during Rocky II at the Holiday Twin Drive In Theater. He was actually named after where he was born, in the Rocky Mountains).

Although hard to distill, three themes stand out when people talk about Frank.

Frank was "walang hiya" and always spoke his mind with his sharp wit. It also made him a shrewd negotiator, particularly in his work as a real estate agent. And while what he would say would get most people in trouble, his smile would charm people.

Frank was also very creative, which was mainly expressed in his cooking--food was his love language. Anyone who tasted Frank's food always asked why he didn't start a restaurant and would ask for his recipes. Frank would openly give his recipes to people, but like any art, there was a touch that could not be recreated. Frank's creativity was also expressed through written word. The eloquence in his prose would often catch people by surprise as he purposefully spoke English with an accent.

Most of all, Frank was generous, nurturing, and always gave what he could to everyone he met. Frank's nurturing disposition could be seen in his green thumb, as he loved plants and could make anything grow. Orchids were his particular passion. Frank and Madge would also host international students, each of whom immediately became family. Frank would always look for ways he could help people and what he could give them, even if it meant he had to sacrifice and not have for himself. This was fully displayed when his wife Madge got sick and he was her unwavering caregiver. His actions in caring for her exemplified the definition of love.

Frank was a beloved husband, a devoted father, and a cherished brother of his siblings: Emmanuel (Thelma) Cruz, Adele (Alejandro) Tongco, Emilio (Ella) Cruz, and Michael (Ruth) Cruz. He is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia (Charles) Teller. He will be lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews, who knew him as "Boss Kokoy" as early as they could speak since he would spoil them: Charmaine, Cheryl, and Charina Cruz; Benjamin and Tanya Teller; Tara Tongco Rojas and Brent Tongco; and Edgar, Cornelio, Karla, Joshua, and James Cruz.

His memory lives on in the hearts of those he loved and those who loved him.

A Visitation and Rosary Service will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025, between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Dr., Ft. Collins. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Friday, June 27th at St. John 23rd Catholic Church, 1220 University Ave, Fort Collins. He'll be inurned at Grandview Cemetery at 11:30 Saturday, June 28. A special celebration of Frank's life will be held, beginning a little after noon Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Block One Events, 428 Linden St., Ft. Collins.