Community support eases family’s sorrow

Retired CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose S. Dela Cruz, right, were among the pallbearers who escorted his brother’s casket on their way to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in last Saturday’s funeral rites of the late representative Francisco S. Dela Cruz. (Jon Perez)

Rep. Joseph I. Itibus (R-Saipan) conveyed the message of thanks of the family of the late representative Francisco S. Dela Cruz after last Saturday’s mass of Christian burial and Rite of Committal at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral and cemetery.

Itibus, who served his first term with Dela Cruz when the latter returned to the 20th Legislature, said the former vice speaker was close to the hearts of a lot of people. “It is not easy to endure the pain and having to let go of our beloved Frank or Liki as he is well known.”

“He is a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather. It is never easy to bear with the grief and sorrow because of his untimely passing. But, in the moment of [the family’s] grief and loss, you [community] were there to make things easier.”

Itibus added that the entire family of the late lawmaker—especially his wife Lisa, their children, and grandchildren—are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. “We’re truly blessed to his memories and all that he has done to make the CNMI a better place.”

“To Fr. Ken [J. Hezel, S.J.] and the members of the clergy who celebrated the mass, the Olomwaay choir with your hymns, and to all the friends and relatives, thank you for your thoughtfulness, messages of condolences, and prayers,” said Itibus.

“Your warm support has given the family the strength to move on. The time you’ve spent with them in prayer, from joining them in the 12 days of daily masses at Kristo Rai to [Saturday], have given them much comfort from their sorrow. For all of these, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Retired CNMI Supreme Court chief justice Jose S. Dela Cruz also remembered his brother as a gentle and humble person. “His first priority has always been his family—wife, children, and grandchildren. His personal integrity also became the benchmark of public service, which became his passion for the people of the CNMI.”

“Our island customs, unique language and traditions, and our island way of life. In our culture, we share things with one another and help each other in time of need. These values were inculcated to us by our parents and grandparents, and Frank never forgot them even with the age of the internet and social media.”

Hezel, who is the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa’s vice general and Kristo Rai Parish’s administrator, said three of the Eight Beatitudes of the Politician delivered by Pope Francis on World Peace Day applies to Dela Cruz.

“Frank was a lector at Kristo Rai, with his deep and warm baritone voice he had a wonderful way of reading the scriptures. I always look for him for special occasions; like Easter Vigil, when we need somebody to read the long Genesis story of creation. He has been known as a voice of reason, calm and firm; a man of his own conviction,” said Hezel.

“Three of the Eight Beatitudes of the Politician are proper for Frank. Blessed be the politician who exemplifies credibility; Blessed be the politician who works for the common good and not for his or her own interests; Blessed be the politician who has no fear.”

Hezel added that he was told that before Dela Cruz died he still managed to make the sign of the cross. “Even though he was having a hard time to breathe, he took the time to make the sign of the cross. Even at the end of his life, he remembered to honor God.”