Florencio Cruz Jim Navarro, Sr

SOUTH PORTLAND - Florencio Cruz "Jim" Navarro Sr., 75, of Osborne Ave., died Monday, June 13, 2011, at Maine Medical Center. He was born on September 15, 1935, in the Republic of the Philippines where he worked with his family as a farmer and fisherman. As a child, he endured the hardships of war, the Japanese occupation, and the battle to liberate the Philippines. He worked as an interpreter for U.S. liberation forces. He joined the U.S. Navy then accepted an intra-service transfer to the U.S. Coast Guard. He served in Vietnam as a ravine patrol craft crew member where he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and numerous awards and decorations. He retired from the Coast Guard in 1983 as a Chief Ship Serviceman. He married Eileen M. Gallagher on July 2, 1971, at St Mary's Church in Westbrook. He then worked as food service supervisor at the Maine Correctional Facility in Windham until 1998. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, bingo, and attending his grandchildren's school and sport activities. He is predeceased by a son, Florencio C. Navarro, Jr., who died July 19, 2010; and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife Eileen Gallagher Navarro of South Portland, Maine; two daughters, Terri A. Navarro of Buxton, Maine, and Kim R. Laurance and her husband Steve of Arlington, Virginia; two sons, Paul A. Navarro and his wife Lisa of Anson, Maine and Ryan G. Navarro of South Portland, Maine; 15 Grandchildren; Eleven Great Grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Crystal Navarro of Hartwell, GA and many relatives worldwide. Visiting hours will be held 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 pm, Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited 11:15 am, Friday, June 17th at the chapel followed by a noon Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Congress Street, Portland. Online Condolences for Florencio Navarro