Evelino Cruz Sr., 103, passed away Monday, April 1st, in Buffalo, Wyoming. He was born in Tampa, Florida on January 18th, 1921, and lived in southern Florida until he was 97. The second-youngest of 12 siblings, Evelino also spent a significant portion of his childhood in Cuba as a self-proclaimed “Cuban Cowboy” with his parents and extended family. In Cuba, his family farmed sugar cane, fruit, and avocados.   Evelino graduated from Hillsborough County High School in Tampa in 1941 and was just recently inducted into the Hillsborough County High School Hall of Fame. After graduating from high school, Evelino enlisted in the United States Navy as a Carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class, spurred into service after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Upon returning home at the end of the war in 1945, he continued to work in construction in southern Florida.

 In 1951, Evelino married Josephine Tramentana. Together, they had two sons, Evelino (Lin), and David, born in 1953 and 1955, respectively. Evelino also adopted Josie’s eldest son, Michael, in 1950. Together they raised their three sons in southern Florida, never straying far from their extended family that lived close by. Evelino and Josie were married for 51 years before her passing in 2002.

 In 2017, Evelino moved to Buffalo, Wyoming to be closer to his son Lin. Settling at the Wyoming Veteran’s Home, he was fond of the area and grateful for the community that is thankful and loving towards its veterans. Evelino loved spending time with his family and regularly catching up with relatives far away. Throughout his life, he loved wood-working and growing his own tomatoes. He loved dark chocolate and his son Lin’s frijoles negroes y arroz and his famous spanish bean soup.

 Evelino is survived by his sister Margarita, son Lin, grandaughters Isabelle and Sarah, and grandson Kevin. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Champion Funeral Home 224 S. Brooks Street Sheridan, WY 82801.  

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