DATE: Monday, June 9, 1997                  TAG: 9706090002
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   36 lines

RICCARDO CRUISE

Dr. Riccardo ``Ryan'' Cruise, M.D., died June 7, 1997, with his family.

He attended Gretna High School, Gretna, Va., where he was valedictorian for the graduating class of 1977. Ric went on to attend college at Stanford University, majoring in biological sciences. Upon his graduation in 1981, he entered Stanford University Medical School. He was awarded his medical degree in 1985 and began practicing medicine in San Francisco, Calif.

Ric always considered his greatest achievement to be his ability to help others. He dedicated himself to helping others whether running a charity fund-raiser or singing in the church choir. He served with distinction on numerous boards and fund-raisers for violence prevention, senior services and the Public Health Foundation. This past year he volunteered to be the chairman of the 1996 Tree of Hope Foundation to fight AIDS. Among his many accolades are Congressional Recognition Awards, a Certificate of Honor from the city of San Francisco, the State of California Service Award, and a citation from the president of the United States. The city of San Francisco chose to recognize Ric's many years of volunteer service by officially declaring July 9, 1994, as ``Ric Cruise Day.''

Surviving are his parents, Joe and Mary; sister, Andrea; brothers, Joey and Ryan Delacruz; uncles; aunts; cousins; and a host of friends.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated in St. Pius X Catholic Church on Halprin Drive, Norfolk, on Tuesday at 11 a.m. by Fr. Paschal Kneip, O.S.B. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will be at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, today from 1 to 4 p.m. to greet friends. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

May God bless you, Ric, and be eternally by your side. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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