John E. Ruoff

1934 - 2017

John E. Ruoff obituary, 1934-2017, Gardiner, NY

FUNERAL HOME

Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home

162 S Putt Corners Rd

New Paltz, New York

John Ruoff Obituary

John E. Ruoff GARDINER-John E. Ruoff died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017 at 83 years of age. His passing was attended by loved ones, and took place at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. John was born on Sept. 4, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Eugen and Rosa Grosch Ruoff. He grew up in Woodside, Queens, playing stickball in the streets and graduating from LaSalle Academy and Manhattan College. He earned a Masters degree in Accounting from New York University. Summers with his family were spent visiting his Uncle Emil in New Paltz, and working as a busboy in the Wildmere and Cliffhouse hotels on Lake Minnewaska. John married Margarete Hildebrandt on Dec. 16, 1967 at St. Joseph’s Church in New Paltz. John and Margarete, together with John’s parents, owned and operated the Mountain Brauhaus Restaurant in Gardiner for over 40 years. They raised four children together, and eventually entrusted the restaurant to their two youngest, who now run it with their spouses. John and Margarete remained an integral part of the business, helping daily in many ways, big and small. John and Margarete were enjoying their 50th year of marriage at the time of John’s passing. The two felt that they had been blessed with living a real-life love story. John was always described by his wife as ‘a rare and special man’. John served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, and was a member of the Gardiner Fire Department. John was also a founding member of the Nut-Hikers, a select group who have hiked and dined every Wednesday, locally and beyond, for over 20 years. John provided a steady moral compass, a good sense of humor and a patient ear for his family’s concerns. He was a man who loved his family and his faith. He had a great appreciation for the natural world, attentive to the myriad details of the world around him. John enjoyed taking walks with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren and splitting his own firewood, a skill he taught his grandson, Oliver, this past summer. In addition to his wife, Margarete, John is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Karin and Dennis Skalla of Saugerties, N.Y. and Ilka and Kevin Casey of Gardiner, N.Y.; son, Eugene Ruoff of Gardiner, N.Y., and son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Veronica Ruoff of Gardiner, N.Y. He was the beloved grandfather of Oliver, Piper and Morgan Casey of Gardiner, Silvia Snow Ruoff of Gardiner, and step-grandson Biko Skalla of Saugerties. In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his brother, Heinz Ruoff, who passed away in 2007, and sister-in-law Linda Ruoff, who passed away in 2016. Relatives and friends may call on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, N.Y. A Mass in John Ruoff’s honor will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 at 10 a.m. Donations in memory of John Ruoff may be made to the Gardiner Fire Department Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 271, Gardiner, N.Y. 12525 or St. Joseph’s Church, 34 South Chestnut, New Paltz, N.Y. 12561. Condolences may be made to the family at www.copelandfhnp.com.

Published by the Daily Freeman from Nov. 25 to Nov. 26, 2017.
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That man is a success
who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;

who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children;

who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

who leaves the world better than he found it;

who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it;

who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.

Axel & Daria Mehrle

November 28, 2017

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

November 27, 2017

Our most sincere condolences. He was a special man. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mary & Anthony Meluso

November 27, 2017

To All Ruoff family
So sorry for the loss. I met John and his family when I worked at the Sugar Bowl and they came to visit Uncle Emil. I have known John since 1955. He has always been a very polite and quiet gentleman . To me he is a part of my growing up.
Hope you are doing well.

Jean Dunn Otis Misner

November 27, 2017

We want to express our most sincere sympathy on your beloved passing.

Vincent & Roberta Dugan

November 26, 2017

So sorry for your loss. I will always remember your dad's contagious smile behind the bar and taking over the candy bar distribution from your grandfather. Prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Fondly,
The Peet Family
Parry, Debi, Andrew and Amanda

Debra Peer

November 26, 2017

Dear Margarete and Family ,

Our deepest and most sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband and father,John .

We are extremely saddend to have read this in today's news paper.

"Cindy" & Bob

Brigitte &Robert Hebel

Family Friend

November 26, 2017

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Memorial Events
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Nov

27

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home

162 S Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561

Nov

28

Service

10:00 a.m.

St. Joseph’s Church

34 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz, NY

Funeral services provided by:

Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home

162 S Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561

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