Plan for the Future
Julio Cesar Cruz, of Westfield, passed away at Overlook Medical Center in Summit on June 19, 2023 at the age of 64.
He was the beloved husband of Ramona Coleman-Cruz and loving father of Lucas Cruz. Julio was devoted to his family and Portuguese Water Dog, Otto.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised on the Lower East Side of New York City, Julio earned a BA degree in sociology from Fordham University and then earned a full dean’s scholarship for academic merit to New York Law School where he received his JD.
Through the years, Julio was employed by the law departments at the New York Elevator & Electrical Corp, Randcastle Extrusion Systems Inc, Petillo Inc, and remotely for Axiom Law and KIPP New York City Public Charter Schools, where he was sometimes a one-man GC law department himself. His exceptional knowledge and lifetime commitment made him a valuable lawyer always.
Julio was one of the Westfield High School Bowling coaches, a member of the New York and New Jersey State Bar Association, and a Board Member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, serving in his second term.
Julio was known for his political activism, honesty, strong values about right and wrong, decency and kindness. He enjoyed bowling, Marvel movies, comic books and collectible pens. He was also a dog lover. Julio made a lasting impact on his family, friends and community and will be missed by many.
