Obituary of Edward da Cruz

Edward da Cruz March 20, 1915 - June 16, 2010 Longtime Danbury resident and businessman Edward da Cruz passed away peacefully on June 16 at the age of 95 years, in his home at Maplewood of Danbury. Edward was the son of the late Antonio L. and Maria Oliveira da Cruz. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, his family emigrated to Portugal when he was 5. Arriving in the U.S. in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression, he started as a floor sweeper in the Greene Plastics Factory in Wakefield, RI. His passion became plastics, and within 17 years he was the plant's general manager. In 1950 he established his own company, Danbury Plastics, Inc. Sixty years later the business continues under its 3rd generation of ownership. At first the business manufactured buttons, jewelry stones, poker chips, and industrial parts. Beginning in the 1960s, the company designed and produced closures for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, including clients such as Gucci, Sally Hansen, Revlon, and Proctor and Gamble. Edward created the original insert that made the stripe on Lever Brothers Stripe toothpaste, invented a unique tray for poker chips, and manufactured the innovative bottle cap for Colgate Palmolive's 007 James Bond After Shave Lotion. Never forgetting his immigrant roots, Edward frequently sponsored Portuguese family members or friends-of-friends, helping them to establish a home and providing them with a job. For him, America was the land of opportunity. In retirement, he enjoyed hobbies of fishing in his Boston whaler, the "da-Cruzer," gardening and giving away the fruits and produce he grew, and traveling with his wife to the countryside of Portugal. Always proud of his Portuguese roots, in 1999 he brought his children, grandchildren, and their spouses to his home village where they could observe his early childhood in Fonte do Alcaide and to appreciate the Portuguese culture and their heritage. It was one of the highlights of his life. He is survived by his daughter, Carleen da Cruz Payne and son-in-law, Richard, of VA; 4 grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Dee da Cruz of GA, Stephen and Brenda Payne of CO, Lesley and Jon Pardew of CO, and Stacey and Don Steinman of VA; 13 great-grandchildren, Danielle and Robert da Cruz, Allison, Rebecca, Adam, Kaitlyn, Victoria, and Madelyn Payne, William and Jackson Pardew, and Samantha, Sydney, and Charles Steinman; his sister, Amorinda Sousa; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Aguiar da Cruz, and his son, Edward da Cruz, Jr. Funeral Information A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 Cottage Street, Danbury. Interment in St. Peter's Mausoleum, Danbury. Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury on Sunday between the hours of 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Charles Cahn, Regional Hospice, and the staff of Maplewood for their extraordinary medical care, support and compassion. Donations Information Always a learner, he was blessed with a beautiful mind and keen sense of humor to the end of his life. In honor of Edward da Cruz, a library will be built in Haiti to share his love of reading and learning. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to 'Operation Starfish- Edward da Cruz Memorial,' Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015. Contributions may also be made to the Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Road, Danbury, CT 06810 in memory of Edward da Cruz, for the expansion of the computer lab at the Center.