Jose Ramon Cuevas

Jose, Mr. C, or Peto, as referred to by family and close friends, was born on his grandmother’s bed, on November 12, 1952 in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico before moving to Elizabeth, NJ in 1954. He lived in and was an active member of the Elizabeth community until November of 2019 when he moved to Palm Coast. Jose graduated in 1970 from Thomas Edison Vocational and Technical High School in Elizabeth where he then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was an Army Airborne Ranger and one of the youngest sergeants who served in the Vietnam War. In Vietnam he received a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Parachutist and Ranger Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, Expert (M60 MG) Badge, and Sharpshooter (Rifle) Badge. Upon returning home, he was reconnected with a family friend, Yvette Maldonado, and that is where their love story began and continued for 50 years.

Jose was a family man, a devoted husband (Yvette), father (Jose and Yasmin), grandfather (Jose Daniel and Emmanuel Jose), brother (Pablo Pantoja, Awilda, Blanca, Anita, Sonia, Lourdes, Luis, Marcos, and David Rodriguez and Jose Ramon, and Jose Nicolas Cruz Burgos), uncle and great-uncle (Maldonados, Pantojas, Cruzes, Navarros, Rodriguezes, Gorczynskis, and Figueroas), nephew, cousin and friend. He was predeceased by his father Jose Ramon Cruz Cuebas, mother Ana Celia Velez Rodriguez, and brothers Wilfredo Cruz and Jose Juan Cruz Burgos.

Jose treated everyone with respect and fought for those without a voice or presence. If you knew Jose you loved him, as he would give you the shirt off his back or the sandwich in his hand. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fantasy and science fiction most! He enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons with his brothers, cousins, and friends for close to a decade and collected historical and cultural artifacts and weapons. He enjoyed cooking as well as trying new foods and relished sharing meals with friends and family!

Jose’s work experience was diverse as he was a man of many strengths and talents. He was a machine drafter, welder (Exxon 1976-1992), community organizer (1992-2003), and worked for the city of Elizabeth in the Elizabeth Home Improvement Department and as an Assistant Tax Assessor until his retirement in 2017.

Jose helped establish the Elizabethport Block Watch, worked with the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center, mentored many adolescents and community organized with the Industrial Areas Foundation in East Brooklyn, the South Bronx, and Jersey City. He also organized in Plainfield with the Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County. He founded Cuevas Creative Consulting as an avenue to continue supporting others in identifying grants and programs for investing as well as continuing to offer his service of facilitating workshops to organize and empower various groups. He served in various civic positions including long time President of the Puerto Rican Society of Elizabeth where he helped establish the folkloric dance group. He was the First Chairman of the Environmental Equity Advisory Council, for NJ DEP, was Past Commissioner for Human Rights in the City of Elizabeth, NJ,; National Leadership Initiative Fellow of the Community Foundation, Past Member of the Board of P.R.O.C.E.E.D. Inc., Past Member of the Board of Brand New Day, and Past Secretary of the First Ward Development Fund.

Jose’s Military Funeral Honors will take place on Tuesday, November 12th at 10:00 AM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jax FL 32218. A Celebration of His Life will immediately follow the service at the Cuevas home in Palm Coast, FL.