Armenio Duarte da Cruz, age 80 years, of Readington Township, NJ, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in the hospice unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem, PA.

Born in Luso, Portugal, February 11, 1939, son of Julia Maria and Manuel Duarte da Cruz, Armenio emigrated to the United States in 1979 for a better opportunity for his family. He had lived in Readington Township for the past eleven years.

A graduate of the culinary school Coimbra, Armenio was a well-respected and admired chef.

He was very proud of his family, and would do whatever he needed to see them live their lives to the fullest. To Armenio, it was not sacrifice but rather just what one did for people they loved.

Meeting his beloved Maria at a church dance, it was love at first sight. As Armenio was in the Portuguese Army at the time, the two dated for five years before being married on November 8, 1964 in Lograssol, Portugal. Armenio did not just marry his wife, but he also became a proud member of her family, with her parents treating him as one of their own sons. This had a profound impact on him as his own father had died when he was only seven years old.

Being raised in a catholic home, faith was important to Armenio. Following the ideals of working hard and being there for others was at the forefront of his heart. At times being strong-willed, his heart was always there when anyone needed him.

He enjoyed playing cards, especially canasta, and one would be wise to not make a bet against him. He also enjoyed watching soccer.

Though saddened by the physical void of his passing, the family is grateful to all those who assisted Armenio over the past several months during his sudden illness. The kindness of strangers surely reflects God’s love for Armenio, and us all, and solace should be taken knowing that Armenio is in heaven, setting up a fun card game and ensuring the the food will be cooked to perfection!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his a brother, Fausto; a sister, Maria da Cruz Casto; and his son-in-law, Carlos Alfredo Costa.

Surviving are his wife, Maria M. Cruz; his daughter, Paula Duarte Costa; his son and daughter-in-law, Adriano M. and Monica Duarte; his grandchildren, Patricia and Marco Martins and Jessica Costa and Daniel Mullen; his great grandson, Enzo Damian Costa Martins; a sister, Emilia da Suledade; the family dogs, Desi, Cocoa, Whisper, and Chanel; many extended family around the world; and many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to a gathering on Sunday, February 09, 2020 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Life celebration services will take place on Sunday, beginning at 2:30 p.m. following the visitation, and to which all are welcome.

Interment will take place in the family plot in Luso, Portugal.

Please visit Armenio’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 .

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