Joan Cruise, 80, dies

Friday, October 26, 2007 - by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Joan Cruise, 80, the wife of Hall of Fame trainer-driver Jimmy Cruise, died on Thursday, October 25, 2007, following a long illness.

She was the breeder and owner of many great horses, including Earl Laird, 6, 1:59.4f ($477,034); Kash Minbar, 6, 1:56.1 ($651,418); and Bud T Ace, p, 8, 2:00.4h ($255,331).

She was the mother to trainer-drivers Jimmy Cruise, Jr. and Earl Cruise, and the grandmother to Kash, Joanna, Kelly, James III, Richard, and Amy Cruise.

The family will conduct a private memorial service, and in lieu of flowers ask that donations be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, at 108F Old York, Rd., Hamlton, NJ 08620.

Source: USTA Web site (10-26-07)

Note: Mrs. Cruise was originally from Indiana.