Julio L. Diaz

An honorable and happy man Julio Diaz Jr left this life on Monday April 4th 2022 at the young age of 69.

Julio was born in San Juan Puerto Rico on August 8,1952. He later moved to New York City and went back to Puerto Rico to live with his Uncle and Aunt and then returned to New York at the age of 12 to live with his mother speaking only Spanish. So he had to learn the English language all over again. Julio served in the Navy at the age of 19 from 1971 to 1986. He achieved his greatest achievement in the Navy as a Submariner.

Everyone that knew him on the boats loved him and he had many sailors that he mentored through the years. He received his Dolphin Pins while on one of the boats he served as an official SUBMARINER which he was so proud of then and throughout his life. Some of the submarines he served on were the USS HAMILTON USS HECTOR and the USS BERGAL. He received several medals of achievement during his career  including THE NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS UNIT COMMENDATION which was given to him for serving during Vietnam War,  just to name a few. Has been all over the world in the Navy and he loved all of his years as a Submariner.

He got out of the in Navy in December 1986 in Norfolk Virginia. He then moved with his family to New York City for seven years then moved back to Virginia. Every where he lived he continued to mentor kids that grew up around his children ( too many to count ) and was a father figure to many of them. One memory all the kids have of him is Julio's favorite saying when kids tried to pull things over on him;  he would say “WHAT DO YOU THINK IM STUPID OR SOMETHING” in his Spanish accent. All the kids remember these words since they were in grammar school till now and still laugh about it. ( James, the kids and the ones that knew him talk about this all the time ). 

He worked at Sentara Leigh Hospital, also achieving several awards and he worked at Maryview Hospital as well..

He was married to his true love Elizabeth for 35 years. Together they raised three children Emilia Diaz, Eric Diaz and Maria Diaz but that grew his family for he had two children from a previous marriage Ruben Diaz and Danielle Diaz (Chris) and she had two from a previous marriage Marisol Ruiz and Miranda Ruiz (Marshall). Also carrying on his legacy are his 10 grandchildren Marcus Diaz, Shawn Robinson, Justin Ruiz, Makayla Nance, Tyrell Robinson, Maison Nance, Jermaine Spence Jr., Xavior Diaz, Aalijah Hayes and Ja'Montae Spence. He is also survived by his younger brother Victor Vasquez. The day he was born will carry on through his grandson Tyrell Robinson who shares the same birthday as Julio.

Julio enjoyed being around his children and his grandchildren, often going to their sporting games, parties and cook outs. Every fathers day they all got together at a baseball field and played kickball, the kids against adults of course and the kids always won. He will be remembered by everyone for many things but especially his story telling of his childhood life and his submarine service.

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