Vincent Cruz, 65, of Salinas, Ca, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, at his home.  He was born February 26, 1959, to Vicente M. and Benancia (Gonzales) Cruz at Santa Clara County Hospital in San Jose, CA.He graduated from Salinas High School in 1977.  He enlisted that same year in the Marines.  He worked in various restaurants as a cook in Salinas and Monterey eventually owning his own restaurant, Chente's.  He later worked as a cook for nursing homes in the Salinas area.  He was also a Senior Security Officer and First Responder at Santa Lucia Preserve from 2000-2014.  He was a member of Legacy Church, 1035 Rogge Road, Salinas.

Mr. Cruz is survived by two sisters, Catherine (Myke) Feinman of Streator, Il and Elizabeth Perez of San Jose, Ca, and a brother, Jess Cruz of Salinas; 14 nephews and nieces; and eleven great-nephews and nieces; and a great-great niece.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Grace and Joann; a brother, Edmund; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Perez.Visitation will be held, Wednesday evening, October 16th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a prayer service from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Healy Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Rd., Salinas. Cremation burial services will be held Thursday morning, October 17th, at 9:15 a.m. sharp at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Rd., Seaside.A family and friends celebration of life will follow at 1 p.m. at the Spreckles Veteran's Memorial Building, 90 Fifth St., Spreckles, CA 93962.