Radames Toro-Cruz

CW3 Radames Toro-Cruz passed away at 11:40am Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Osceola Regional Hospital. He was born on June 10, 1932 in Las Jas, Puerto Rico. He was predeceased by his older brother, Benjamin and survived by his two younger sisters, Anna Elisa and Carmen. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eulalie Toro Vega, daughter Madeline Little, son Radames Toro, 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. His 23+ years of service in the US Army included 2 tours in the Korean War and 2 tours in Vietnam War. He received 22 medals including the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star. We are grateful for his outstanding service to his country and family. His grandchildren include Brandon Little (married to Jaclyn Mayer), Jennifer Toro-Mazzoni (married to Matthew Mazzoni) and Janessa Toro-Tucker (married to Joseph Tucker) and 3 great grandchildren Cecilia Rosanne Mazzoni, Marco Raphael Mazzoni, Genevieve Sophia Mazzoni. He is also survived by his extended family, Ricardo (Rick), Benjamin and Alberto Toro, sons of Benjamin Toro his older deceased brother, and survived by Benjamin's wife, Rosita. On his wife side of the family, Radames is predeceased by Eulalie Toro Vega's sister Iris Vega and brother Polo Vega and survived by sister Carmen Vega. His parents (Benjamin and Leandra) predeceased Radames, as well as his other sister Monerate who passed away when she was only seven years old. 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 a 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, 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 4 ½ years of his life as he battled to recover after his fall and battling to recover from other debilitating illnesses. In June when he was on life support, we saw him "will" himself back from the brink of death. Immediate family were greatly sadden when he did not come back this last time after being put on life support once again. Our comfort is that in these last months we saw a strong sense of peace and compassion for others. Our family will forever admire Radames' ability to unconditionally love us and showing others his love of life. We trust he has found everlasting peace and comfort that he so deserves. He will be dearly missed by his devoted wife Eulalie Toro Vega. Flowers will be accepted at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, 9801 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141. Phone 1-314-993-0015.

Radames Toro-Cruz

June 10, 1932 - October 22, 2016