NEWARK, NJ—The Department of Athletics joins the NJIT community in mourning the passing of NJIT/NCE Athletics Hall of Fame member Edward Cruz, '63, '13, who died at his home in Bay Head, NJ, with his family at his side on Tuesday, July 14.
 
Mr. Cruz, who resided in Union, NJ, when he was a student-athlete on the Newark College of Engineering men's soccer team, was the fourth-leading scorer for the Highlanders in 1960, when they won the National Championship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The 1960 team posted a 12-0-1 record, winning its first 12 games before being deadlocked through four overtime periods in the national championship game.
 
The success continued in his junior year, when the Highlanders won their first nine games before losing the 1961 NAIA National Championship game, 3-2. That season, with Mr. Cruz on defense, NCE outscored the opposition by a combined 46-8.
 
In 1961, the Highlanders enjoyed a 49-15 goal scoring margin. Over the two seasons, NCE's won-lost record was 21-1-1 and the defense yielded a mere 23 goals in 23 games, holding the opposition to either zero or one goal in 16 of the 23 games.
 
He was inducted into the NJIT Athletics Alumni Hall of Fame in 1995.

"I am fortunate to have had many opportunities to spend time with Ed getting to know him," recalled Lenny Kaplan, Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics. "Whether on the golf course or at one of the many alumni events on campus or at his home, he was warm, welcoming and gracious. Always with the best intentions, he was supportive of the university's efforts of growth, academically and athletically. We, in athletics, share his loss with the entire NJIT community and we extend our condolences to his family and many friends."

He was the former CEO of E.E. Cruz and Company, Inc, which he co-founded with his cousin, Evaristo, in 1984. The company grew to be one of the region's largest engineering and construction firms, specializing in in tunnels, bridges, deep foundations, and water treatment plants.
 
Mr. Cruz was a philanthropic leader in his communities with an interest in education. He remained loyal to his alma mater and was close to his college coach, Mal Simon, and former NCE teammates.
 
He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 51 years; and his four children and their spouses, Robin and Cameron McClearn; Jeffrey and Mary Cruz; Kelly and Scott McCullers; and Susan and Peter Barkey. He is also survived by his grandchildren, whom he called "his greatest luxury": Michelle, her husband Dan, Connor, Taylor, Kate, Caroline, Henry, Olivia, Peter, Hilary and Liam; his mother Lidia, and his siblings. He is fondly remembered by his brother Junior, his cousin Evaristo, and their families; extended family members and countless friends in the U.S. and Portugal.
 
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 4 p.m. followed by a reception at 5 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ. Complimentary parking will be available in lots A, B, and C.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Trust For Public Land
Attn: Tracy Terry
20 Community Place #7
Morristown, N.J. 07960
973-292-1100
 
Here is a link to Mr. Cruz' obituary posted on NJIT Newsroom on NJIT.edu