Cruz Abarca Obituary (1952 - 2021)

Cruz T. Abarca, 69 was called to be with the Lord on November 4, 2021, in La Jolla, California. He was an amazing husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, and biker friend loved by all. Born May 3, 1952, in Brawley, California the son of Rebecca Tellez and Dolores Abarca, U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. Cruz married the love of his life, Eloisa Regalado in 1971 in Mexicali, B.C. He is survived by his wife Eloisa of 50 years and children John (Veronica) Abarca, Sandy (Javier) Alvarez, Janina (Pepe) Enriquez, and Jaime (Cinthia) Abarca; grandchildren JC, Valerie, JR, Manny, Ruby, Clarissa, Cruz, Melanie, Damien, Andrew, Eun, Izek, Mirakle. Sisters Clara and Mary, and many nieces and nephews. He attended local elementary and high schools. As an adult, he attended IVC and graduated with an A.A. in Psychology and an A.S. in Social Sciences. He worked at the Imperial Irrigation District like his father for many years before pursuing his career in education where he served in various capacities in the high school and alternative education levels. He enjoyed his time at ARC of Imperial Valley, IVROP, Womenhaven, Del Rio Community School, and Desert Valley High School. Cruz always spoke highly of his students and participants and his goal was to make a positive impact on the students that he served. He was always proud when students would walk up to him in public and thank him for his service and the role he played in helping shape their future. "Cruzer" as his biker brothers and sisters called him was always cheerful and always put his family first. Cruz was a champion for the underdog and a very outspoken and respected community advocate, especially for underserved youth and veterans. Although Cruzer was a cancer survivor and his health was fragile, his death was sudden and unexpected. One of his most significant accomplishments was taking care of and restoring the abandoned Imperial cemetery, Memory Gardens on Highway 86 in Imperial. Every Saturday morning, you could count on driving by the cemetery and seeing Cruz watering the trees and tending to all the graves, specifically the Veterans. As a Veteran, Cruzer always ensured the Vets received special treatment and secured an American flag marking each Veteran's grave. Cruz was proceeded in death by his parents Rebecca Tellez and Dolores "Lolo" Abarca; brothers Dolores "Wango," Peter, Johnny, Dario "Leo," Porfirio "Poki." Sister Ramona "Mona," and Lupe. Holy Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 12:00 Noon at St. Margaret Mary Church, 620 S. Cesar Chavez Street, Brawley, California. Burial to immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery, 4700 Hovley Road, Brawley, California.