Carmelo Cruz Roman, 78, the beloved husband of Herminia (Lopez) Cruz died on Tuesday (March 4, 2014) at Riverside HCC in East Hartford. Carmelo was born in Comerio, Puerto Rico the son of Juan Cruz Mercado and Ulpiana Roman Cruz and had lived in East Hartford for many years. He was formerly employed by John Simone and Son. Carmelo's favorite past times were carpentry, landscaping, gardening and doing auto mechanic work. He also greatly enjoyed cooking for church retreats and making and selling rosaries to help build a church in his home town of Comerio, Puerto Rico. He is survived by thirteen children and their spouses Carmelo Cruz, Jr. and Gladys Cruz, Evelin Miranda and Eduardo E. Miranda, Abraham Cruz, Maria D. Sau and Cuong Sau, Angel Gabriel Cruz, Juan N. Cruz and Carmen Cruz, Pablo Cruz and Kathy Cruz, Pedro Cruz and Sonia Carrero, Evangelio Cruz and Glorivee Cruz, Saul Cruz and Mildred Cotto, Jesus Cruz and Michelle Cruz, Herminia D. Cruz and Raul Marrero, Jr and Felicita Cruz and Yolanda Quinones; forty-four grandchildren; twenty-seven great grandchildren; his brother and sisters Juana Cruz, Carmen Delia Cruz and Luisa Cruz. He was predeceased by his sons Abraham Cruz and Angel Gabriel Cruz. Funeral service will be held on Friday (March 7, 2014) at 11:30 at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester with Fr. Michael Galaso officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday morning from 9:30 - 11:30. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.