Monday, October 5, 2015
Jose Cunanan was my Great Uncle. My memories of Great Uncle Jose consist of when our family and Tito Raffy's entire family would get together or when the entire Saskatoon Cunanan Family would get together for special events like birthdays, Thanksgiving or Christmas. I can still remember Tito Bob singing "Please Release Me," as all of the parents and elders were gathered around the karaoke machine singing into late hours of the morning. At the same time, Great Uncle Jose would share many of his war stories, which detailed the struggles of survival during the times of war. I remember Great Uncle Jose explaining that life back at that time was difficult, but he survived. He had to experience the loss of his closest friends and even some family members as well. I remember the look on his face, his soft-spoken voice as he would tell these stories, how his hair would be slicked to one side, the musk of his cologne, his layers upon layers of clothing: sando, t-shirt, dress shirt, vest, sweater vest and jacket. I remember his smile. I remember his laugh. Great Uncle Jose served his country proudly, but most of all, his family will proudly remember him. George S. Patton once said, "it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." We will always remember you, Great Uncle Jose. Rest in peace.
Love, S. Cruz
