Cresencio Caballero Sotomayor

Cresencio Sotomayor (known as Cris or Tommy), 84 years old, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2024 surrounded by his loving family, joined by those in Dubai and the Philippines who were present on video chat. He was born on June 14, 1939.

Cris was the life of the party and he loved to dance. He made friends wherever he went. Cris knew the importance of hard work and determination. He also knew the importance of being kind. He valued his health, often telling those around him “Health is wealth!”. He was always on the go, often walking around in Jersey City and exercising every day. He loved to sunbathe, whether it was at the beach or at home in the backyard with his grand-dogs Little Dude, Mochi, Paris, and Ollie. He often met with his friends at Dunkin Donuts in Journal Square, or you could find him betting at the racetrack.

Cris loved to tell stories about his life. He was not afraid to talk about the struggles he endured and how he worked so courageously through any obstacle life threw at him. His love story is most arguably the greatest one. Cris and Del met in 1960 in Lucena City, Philippines at a dance party when Cris was 21 and Del was 18. They quickly fell in love and got married on July 18, 1960. Cris and Del started a family, and the rest is history. They have been married for nearly 64 years.

Cris was a very talented man who did different kinds of work to support and ensure that his family was provided a comfortable life. He was a barber, a poet, a painter, a boxing promoter, a realtor, a driver for a diplomat in Saudi Arabia, and an entrepreneur. He read many books and educated himself on different topics, often sharing information not many would know. If anyone needs a recommendation, his favorite book is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.

Throughout his life, Cris made his family his top priority. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Adelia, his children Vic (Nerissa), Cynthia (Allan), Eugene (Jen), Myra, and Ramyl, his grandchildren Vickson, Valerie, Vea, Dorothy, Matt (Camille), Shawn, Nancy Grace, Rachel, AJ, Kristen, JB and Joaquin, his great-grandchildren Eli, Dayton and Aidan, and his sister Zoila. Cris is now reunited with his children Nancy and Ariel, and his daughter-in-law Aida.

Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Cris, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We are all so lucky to have known and been loved by him. He will be greatly missed.

“Time has its own people, and people have their own time.” -Crescencio Sotomayor

Visitation is Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City.  Funeral is Monday, April 29, 2024 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the funeral home.  Funeral mass is at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Church, 511 Pavonia Ave. Jersey City.  Private cremation will follow.