Radames TORO-CRUZ

CW3 Radames Toro-Cruz, age 84, passed away Saturday, October 22 at Osceola Regional Hospital in Orlando, Florida after battling an array of illnesses for the past four and a half years. He now rests in the arms of our Heavenly Father. His 23+ years of service in the US Army included two tours in the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam War. He received twenty-two medals, including the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star. We are grateful for his outstanding service to his country and family. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Radames was born on June 10, 1932 in Las Jas, Puerto Rico. While serving in the Army Infantry in Korea, he became a lone survivor of his platoon. During his service in Vietnam, he was wounded multiple times, exposed to Agent Orange, shot down from a helicopter, and had military mortar shrapnel tear through his legs. His commendations included the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Marksman Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 6 Oversea Bars, Meritorious Unit Citation, Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class, and numerous other citations. As stated by Major General Thomas M. Tarpley prior to his retirement on June 2, 1975, these citations represented "a strong dedication [and] long hours of service with valor, which conveyed the desired, favorable impression of the Modern Volunteer Army Program.” Radames' strong will to live was displayed further in the last four and a half years of his life as he battled to recover after an initial fall that left him with a broken hip and the onslaught of other debilitating illnesses. This past June, his family witnessed him gather the strength to “will” himself back from the brink of death when he was placed on life support. When he was placed on life support once again on October 22, the family was deeply saddened that Radames finally lost his battle to stay alive. Surviving loved ones will forever admire Radames’ unconditional love for his family and country, as well as a good measure of generosity and compassion for others in his final months. Radames is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Eulalie Toro Vega, as well as his two children, Madeline Little (husband Michael) of Montgomery, Alabama; and son Radames Toro (wife Rosanne) of St. Peters, Missouri. He also leaves behind three grandchildren: Brandon Little (wife Jaclyn) of Austin, Texas; Jennifer Toro Mazzoni (husband A. Matthew), and Janessa Toro-Tucker (husband Joseph). In addition, Mr. Toro leaves behind three great-grandchildren: Cecilia Rosanne Mazzoni, Marco Raphael Mazzoni, and Genevieve Sophia Mazzoni, all of St. Louis, Missouri. Radames’ parents, Benjamin Toro and Leandra Cruz, predeceased him, as well as his older brother Benjamin, and his sister Monerate, who passed away when she was only seven years old. He is survived by his two younger sisters, Anna Elisa and Carmen, as well as his nephews Ricardo (Rick), Benjamin, and Alberto Toro (sons of Benjamin Toro). In addition to being an accomplished Chef, Radames loved baseball, animals, and getting to know people. He will be dearly missed by his devoted wife, Eulalie, family, and friends. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 1, 2016 from 10:00 A.M - 10:30 A.M with a service at 10:30 A.M at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, 9801 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141.

Radames TORO-CRUZ

June 10, 1932 - October 22, 2016