One of the saddest things we will remember about the summer of 2024 is the death of Pablo Hernandez Cruz, the Mays Landing man who died after saving the lives of two boys who were drowning in the Great Egg Harbor River, in an area where swimming is not permitted.
Cruz, 49, didn’t hesitate to help when he saw the two boys ages 8 and 12 years old were in danger of dying, and in so doing, he lost his own life.
Hero’s Brother-in-law posts a remembrance
Joe Pagliuca, the brother-in-law of Pablo Hernandez Cruz, knew him as well as anyone and he is grieving for his lost family member and his sister Jenny’s husband.
Pagliuca started a GoFundMe drive to support Pablos’ wife, children, and the unborn grandchild who he will never get the chance to meet.
In his comments in the appeal, Joe Pagliuca paints a picture of a very special man who loved his family.
No one worked harder than Pablo and his number one priority was always providing for his family. Seven years ago, when his pre-teen daughter was diagnosed with cancer, Pablo sacrificed his career to ensure he would always be by her side.
He took on the role of caretaker and as always proved to be the glue that held his family together.
Pablo Hernandez Cruz was well-known in many local kitchens
By all accounts, Pablo Hernandez Cruz liked food and loved to cook. You can find photos and videos of him online making pies, fileting fish and happily working around food.
Joe Pagliuca confirms Pablo’s talent with food.
Pablo was an amazing father, husband, and cook… man, could he cook! He worked at a number of Atlantic City restaurants and always seized the moment to make something exquisite for his family on a whim; his Thanksgiving turkey gravy was legendary.
Here is a link to the GoFundMe campaign set up by his brother-in-law for the family of Pablo Hernandez Cruz.
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