Colonel Joseph Russell Cruciani

Glade Valley Colonel Joseph Russell Cruciani died April 8, 2014 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances; daughters, Linda of Rockville, Maryland, Karen of Lewisville, NC, and Elaine of Glade Valley, NC; and grandson, Evan of Rockville, Maryland. Colonel Cruciani served in the U.S. Army included tours of duty at Los Alamos New Mexico and Enewetak Atoll atomic tests in the Pacific during Operation Sandstones; command of a Military Police Company in combat operations in Korea and peace negotiations at P'anmunjom. Colonel Cruciani attended the University of Pittsburg and the University of North Carolina and received his law degree from UNC at Chapel Hill in 1957. Colonel Cruciani practiced law in Charlotte, N.C. His legal career included service as Assistant United States Attorney in Charlotte, NC when Robert Kennedy was Attorney General of U.S.; U.S. Magistrate and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western Federal District of NC. Colonel Cruciani was a member of various civic organizations before retirement including the Carmel Country Club; the Charlotte Rotary Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Piedmont Credit Club, Friendship Masonic Lodge and was a 32nd degree mason. He served as President of the Reserve Officers Association of North Carolina. There will be no formal services per Mr. Cruciani's wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to the Sparta Presbyterian Church, PO Box 474 Sparta, NC 28675. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.