Agustin Royos “Gus” Cruz, 86, 44-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Whidbey Island Manor Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002.

Mr. Cruz was born in Agana, Guam, Oct. 4, 1915, to Jose Mesa Cruz and Maria (Royos) Cruz. His military service began Dec. 2, 1938, and he retired Aug. 5, 1960. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed mostly in the Pacific and the Western part of the U.S. on land or at sea. He moved with his family to Oak Harbor in 1958, from San Francisco. His last duty station was VP-17 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Mr. Cruz married Leonor Basconcillo Dec. 20, 1945, at Pasay City, Philippines. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by three children, Robert Edward Cruz of San Francisco; Michael Roy Cruz of Daly City, Calif.; and Lorraine Cruz Harmon and husband Joel Allen Harmon (retired Naval officer) of Oak Harbor; two grandchildren, Jennifer Harmon and husband Justin Stambaugh of College Park, Md, and Joel Allen Harmon II of Seattle; also, numerous other relatives throughout the U.S. and Guam. He was preceded in death by a sister, Rosa Cruz Petros and husband Baltazar and two brothers, Frank Royos and Michael Royos Cruz and wife Remedios.

Mr. Cruz was a member of St. Augustine’s Parish in Oak Harbor, Knights of Columbus, Fleet Reserve Association, Fil-Am Association of Oak Harbor and the Guam Society of Oak Harbor. He enjoyed gardening, cooking and playing the piano and harmonica.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, and from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Vigil Prayer Service and Recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s, Rev. Father Ronald Belisle, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with military honors under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Jo Balda, treasurer, P.O. Box 345, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or WAIF. (Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation), P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.