Cruz Rios was born on December 15, 1918 and was from California. He served in the Company K, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. During WW2 he fought in the Aleutian Islands and in the tough mountains of Italy. On Easter 1945, Rios visited the Chiesa of San Paolino in Bardalone, Italy and made a promise, a promise which he kept. He returned to that church on Easter 2005 and a plaque at the church remembers him and this promise.
FROM FIND A GRAVE:
Cruz Floriano Rios Jr. was the oldest of seven children born to Cruz and Luz Rios. He was born on December 15, 1918, in Colton, CA. The family moved between Colton, Las Vegas, NV and Utah. Dad served with the 10th Mountain Division. during World War II, and returned to marry Lucy Lango on October 21, 1951. Dad worked at several gas stations before teaching automotive classes at Fresno City College. Dad loved animals, especially dogs and enjoyed the outdoors. He was proud of having served with the 10th Mountain Division and belonging to their Association. Cruz is survived by his wife Lucy; three children; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Paul Catholic Newman Center on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 10th Mountain Division Descendants Inc. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559)227-4048 Published in the Fresno Bee on May 29, 2016