Joseph "Joe" Cruz, 67, of Allentown, PA passed away peacefully at home on July 26, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.  Joe was happily married for 36 years to his wife, Kathleen.  Born in Ponce, PR, he was the son of the late Cristelia (Hernandez) Diaz and Manuel Cruz.  At a young age, Joe moved from Puerto Rico to New Jersey where he was raised by his grandparents, Maria and Jose Hernandez.  Joe resided in the Passaic/Garfield area and graduated from Garfield High School.  He later moved to PA and lived in Allentown for the past 23 years.  He worked at Lea & Perrins, Farmland Dairies, and various trucking companies as a diesel mechanic for several years before choosing to be a full-time, stay-at-home dad for his three children, Danielle, Melissa, and David.  Joe's greatest joy was devoting his time, love, and attention to their care and growth throughout their childhood and school years.

Joe's life was filled with love and enjoyment of family celebrations, concerts, trips to the Outer Banks (NC), Stokes State Forest (NJ), Maui, the Caribbean, Greece, Switzerland, and many other meaningful experiences.  He was a loyal Celtics fan, and through a gift from his children, attended a game recently in Boston.

We will continue to celebrate his life and forever cherish the memories we have.  Joe will be greatly missed by many including his beloved wife, Kathleen (Couillard), and children, dear brother-in-law (Richard Couillard) and sister-in-law (Cindy Couillard), aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives and friends.

Visiting Tuesday 4-8PM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Funeral Wednesday 9:45AM at the funeral home and 11AM at St. Nicholas RC Church, 153 Washington Place, Passaic. Interment, Fairview Cemetery, Fairview.

In lieu of flowers, donations made in Joseph's memory to The Sanctuary at Haafsville, www.thesanctuarypa.org , would be greatly appreciated.