Mr. Cruz Collazo

Rev. Cruz Collazo of Orlando, Florida (formerly of Youngstown, Ohio) died Friday, May 9, 2014. Born in Corozal, Puerto Rico he was the first born of 3 children to Gil Collazo and Justina Nieves. In 1950 he received the call of God to the Ministry and lived and studied the bible at the MIZPA Bible institute in Puerto Rico and he received his diploma in Theology from the Spanish Eastern District Seminary of Theology of the Assemblies of God (AG). He moved to New York in 1954 and met Elizabeth Sein on a Tuesday evening mission service. Five and a half months later they were married on August 28, 1954. On September 16, 1956 he officially started his pastoral ministry at the Damascus Christian Church and pastored there for 10 years; he also pastored “Spanish Pentecostal Church AG, Brooklyn, N.Y. and “The Light of the World AG also in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1972 he accepted the Pastorate of the “Spanish Evangelical Church AG of Youngstown, Ohio. He also served as the Principle of the Ohio Eastern District Bible Institute and Presbyter of the Ohio Spanish Eastern district of the Assemblies of God. He preached on the Radio on Sunday morning with Rev Angelo Roman in “Moments of Inspiration”. He was involved in the “Organizacion Civica Y Cultural Hispana Americana, Inc. (OCCHA) and was bestowed by The Ohio House of Representative, House District #53 “The Church Leadership Award” for representing his faith with eloquence and vigor, and for being an inspirational presence and a great blessing to the Hispanic-Americans and the entire Christian Community. When he retired in 1999 he wrote in his diary, “retiring has been a very difficult decision for me, not because of personal interest, but because of the serious commitment with my Heavenly Father who found me worthy to bestow His call upon my life despite being but a humble servant. For this I give my eternal Father all honor, glory and majesty.”. In 1999 he moved to Orlando, Florida and also served as a teaching pastor at Living Word Church AG. Above all Pastor Collazo’s greatest ministry was to his wife Elizabeth of 58 year who preceded him to heaven in 2012 and his daughters. He was a romantic man and his five daughters grew up observing their father romancing his wife. A wise and loving father, who disciplined, loved, encouraged and had the patience to always take his daughters shopping to the mall and did not rush them. For 18 years he had lunch with his wife every Monday at Chick-fil-A and enjoyed reading, watching westerns and karate movies, listening to Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Pavarotti; after his retirement he became an excellent cook.Beside his parents and wife he was also preceded in death by his brother Luis Collazo. Pastor Collazo is survived by his sister Pura Agosto, daughters Vivian Collazo, Migdalia Collazo, Mildred Bonilla, Nidia (William) Molina and Dorcas (Jose) Lopez, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. We Thank the Lord for his fruitful and exemplary life. The Patriarch of our family, a gift from God, has returned to God. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday may 13, 2014 beginning at 7:30 PM at Living Word Church in Orlando, FL. A Prayer Service will be conducted on Wednesday may 14, 2014 at 1:00 PM, followed by entombment in Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements Under the Care of Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, Funeral Home and Crematory, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. 407.847.2494. www.osceoalmemgds.com In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Memory of Cruz Collazo to Age Ministers Assistance General Council Assemblies of God 1445 N Boonville Avenue Springfield, MO 65802 Alzheimer’s Association 378 Center Pointe Circle Suite 1280 Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701

Mr. Cruz Collazo

May 3, 1929 - May 9, 2014