About Dan...

Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Dan learned the value of hard work from an early age as he was raised in a single family household, by his mother and late grandmother, with strong conservative values. As a child Dan and his mother had it rough, moving from place to place because of financial difficulties. Dan’s mother never attended college but worked in a factory as a machine operator to provide food and shelter. His mother literally broke her back to provide. After developing a debilitating back injury, Dan’s mother sent him to Puerto Rico to live with relatives at the age of seven. Once in Puerto Rico, Dan attended school and worked as an errand boy on a local farm, milking cows and feeding horses.

At the age of nine, back in New Jersey, Dan’s family moved into the Grand Street Housing, project buildings under the Rt. 80 West ramp in Paterson. At an impressionable age Dan was influenced by the high crime, drugs, and violence in the area. Dan decided that he would not live the same way many in his environment lived, becoming a victim of his circumstances and environment. The journey was hard; a mental, emotional, and physical test of endurance. Dan faltered along the way resulting in being labeled a juvenile delinquent. He was expelled from middle school, classified as a special education student and placed in one of the worst schools in the City of Paterson. None of these inhibited his quest for excellence. Dan went on to earn three college degrees and become a public school education system veteran with two decades of experience. Exemplifying former U.S. Defense Secretary’s words, “A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work”, Dan never succumbed to the temptation of mediocrity.

As an adult, Dan used the lesson of his childhood to become very disciplined and have a keen focus on living a successful life. Twenty-three years ago his focus led him to his life partner and wife, Onida. The couple have been together for twenty-two years and have three beautiful children. Like Dan, Onida was a career educator with 16 years within the New York City Department of Education. In addition to being educators, Dan and Onida are small business owners which had interruptions to their business as a result of COVID-19 and inflation. They have first-hand experiences of the financial turmoil and devastating repercussions as small business owners during the nationwide pandemic as well as inflation throughout the State of New Jersey.

Raising his family, Dan knew he wanted to give back to his community and the state which he loves so dearly. Dan also understands the value of being a father and serving the community. Cruz also served as a coach at the High School, Division 1 (College), and youth level as well as an elected official on the Andover Regional School and Newton Board of Education.