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Grafton High School

Stephen Rufi Obituary

YORKTOWN - Stephen Rufi, 17, son of CMSGT. Antoon "Tony" Rufi USAF (Ret) and Linda Rufi died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2001. Born in Guam, he was a Peninsula resident since 1993. Stephen was a student at Grafton High School, and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He will be remembered most for his love of music and people. He leaves behind his parents, Tony and Linda; two brothers, Jonathan Reeter and Jay Rufi; birth-mother, Kristine Rufi-Hedley; maternal grandparents, Richard and Patricia Hamilton of Prescott, Ariz.; paternal grandfather, Maxdonald Rufi of San Diego, Calif.; an aunt, Donalde Smith; three uncles, John Charles Holbrook, B. Paul Holbrook and Charles Rufi; seven nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, in St. Kateri Tekawitha Catholic Church, 3800 Big Bethel Road, Tabb, with Father Lawrence Mullaney officiating. A reception will follow at the church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, in Parklawn Memorial Park, Hampton. Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, is handling the arrangements.

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Published by Daily Press from Aug. 14 to Aug. 15, 2001.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Rufi

25 Entries

Catherine Shanley

August 22, 2001

Aunt Linda and Uncle Tony~ I really beleive that Stephen was an angel in heaven helping me in my time of need. I was sooo touched when I found out that he was thinking of me during his last hours. Stephen was one of the few people I can say I knew my entire life. As Nicholas :) who I played maguiver with and as the Stephen who carred so deeply for people and was such a wonderful musician. He learned how to play a Dave Matthews song just because I asked him and he played it for me on one of the last times I saw him. My family and I care deeply for you and love Stephan and will do anything to help you through this your time of need. God bless ~ Catherine

Scherry Smith

August 18, 2001

Mr. and Mrs. Rufi,

When I heard about your son, my heart and prayers went out to you and your family. When I saw his picture in the newspaper, the first thing I thought: what a beautiful smile and what a beautiful young man. That smile and those eyes tell the very soul of Stephen. He had a presence and a truly sweet spirit that will not end here. I pray that the Love of our Holy Father will carry and sustain you in this time of mourning and that you will find Peace in knowing that Stephen is with Our Father in Heaven. Much love to you.

Steven Farthing

August 16, 2001

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Rufi

Words Cannot express the sorrow I feel, I was one of the proudest people in the world when I first met Stephen, the first time I saw the fine young man that I came to know as one of my closest friends while i was in high school, He was always a pleasure to teach, and seemed so eager to learn whatever we had to teach him in Drill for Jrotc, he always provided a laugh when times got tense, my prayers are with you and your family...Stephen know this...Hoss you will be Missed...Fair winds and Following Seas Until we meet again.

Steven Farthing

Ashley

August 16, 2001

I only met Stephen this year, but he was a great guy. He was funny, sweet, and...I could go on forever... We will all miss him, but he will always remain in our hearts and memories.

Mike Terrell

August 16, 2001

Chief Rufi and Family

What can you say at a time like this but God Bless and my prayers are with you and your family. I only met Stephen a couple of times and once was when he was over at the house BBQ'ing the burgers and chicken. What a great personality and smile. I though what a good young man. He will be missed.

mike

CMSgt Mike Forde

August 16, 2001

Please accept our sincerest condolence due to the passing of your beloved son. Your family are in our prays. God Bless.

The Forde's Family

AMY ANDRESEN

August 16, 2001

My prayers are with you during this difficult time. If I can do anything for you, please let me know. I am glad that you have your faith to help you through.

Nicole Doney

August 15, 2001

I have known Stephen for it seems like forever now....i know i will miss him so much, and so will everyone else. My prayers are with you.....

Matt Burcher

August 15, 2001

My Prayers go out to your family during this time of sorrow...I knew Steven from school he was a good friend. He will be missed greatly and I still cant really believe that it happend.

Anthony DiTommaso

August 15, 2001

Even though it is difficult to behold, during this time of tragedy and grief, God's love is still the very core of your lives.

In the 23rd. Psalm, we are assured that 'though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.' Stephen's death has cast that shadow, but the Good Lord will protect and support you through this valley.

I know this because God's love (and his glory) is all around you: on top, underneath, in back , and in front of you. And I know that God's love will never abandon you; his glory never ends.

Stephen is now in the very presence of that love for eternity, filled with peace, joy, and happiness. That same love, peace, joy, and happiness is also here for you all of the days of your lives.

In the words of my favorite gospel song, ' the ship may be battered, and the sails torn, but the anchor holds'. May it always hold for Tony, Linda, and all the surviving members of the Rufi family.

Your colleague, Anthony

brittany wheeler

August 15, 2001

to his family and friends know you will all be in my prayers. when i met stephen we bonded and he was always there for me. i heard the news and i did not want to belive it. he will always be in my heart and mind. bye stephen, ilove you

Liz Minshall

August 15, 2001

Stephen and I became great friends over the summer. We hung out everyday and it nearly killed me when I found out he died. He was a wonderful person and will forever have a place in my heart. I can't believe he's gone and I'll miss him completely. He was a great musician, but an even better person. I'll always have our memories and I will always love him!

Kirsten Smith

August 15, 2001

Linda and Tony Rufi,

I was hysterical when I found out he was gone cause he was so young I can only imagine how u feel ! I have known stephen since I was in 1st grade I am Allen Smiths sister and I have grown to know and care a/b stephen very much because of allen and I thank allen for introducing me to him because I grew to love stephen he was a wonderful person he had such a big heart he could walk into a room and make everyone smile well atleast he made me smile he was like a second brother to me! I would rather have known stephen for this short time than to have never met him he has changed my life he helped me learn to treat people the way u want to be treated and he treated me very well he was always so nice to me tony and linda u raised a great son u did a wonderful job! He was a good person and a loving one to and he will be remembered for that forever! If there is ne thing my family can do to help u please tell us we live just around the corner from u and we always have our door open !

Carlann Gomez

August 15, 2001

We love you all and you are in our prayers.

Shawna Daigneau

August 15, 2001

My prayers are with your family in this tragic time and I hope your family can stay strong. I went to school with Stephen but did not know him very well. He was always nice to me and I will always remember that. I can't believe he is gone, I know he will be missed by everyone.

Patti Abernathy

August 14, 2001

It's hard to believe that one day he was here and the next he wasn't. I met Steven my freshmen year of high school and he was my date to homecoming that year. I feel terrible because Steven and I ended on bad terms and I never had the chance to make amends with him. I don't know what to say at a time like this other than I'm sorry that he was taken from us the way he was and that I'm sorry took for granted that he was a friend of mine and I let him slip away so easily. All and all he was a good guy and a good friend and everyone misses him greatly.

Rita Jacobs

August 14, 2001

We are thinking of you in your time of loss. No words can ease the pain of the loss of a child. If we could only go back to the time when Stephen, Tommy, April and Lauren were 9.10 and 11. Stephen will be missed.

The Jacobs

Brittany Morris

August 14, 2001

My Prays are with you and your family.Stephen was like brother to me he took care of me when i went to grafton and even after my heart is in pain to see this happen i will pray for all of you and him.....i miss you stephen

DANELLE GUZIOR

August 14, 2001

TO THE RUFI'S FAMILY I HAVE PRAYS WITH YOU AND I ONCE WENT TO SCHOOL WITH HIM AT GRAFTON.

Debbie Quintero

August 14, 2001

Words cannot express the sorry I feel for you and your family. My heart aches at the loss you must be feeling. I know with all the challenges, Stephen was a jewel and a bundle of life and energy. I pray the Lord will give you a peace that goes beyond anything we can imagine. May you find comfort in knowing you're cared for and loved. Sincerly, Debbie and Amber Quintero

Devon Mercer

August 14, 2001

My older brother Chris was Stephen's best buddy for a while...So I know who he is. I also remember how he did the chipmunk impression! Chris will miss him greatly.

Don Durham

August 14, 2001

We are confronted with the question why. Why would the God who created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them, take away something that means so much to us? I can only say that God knows everthing and He knows the various outcomes of His different choses. HIS CHOOSE was this for Stephen and for Stephen's family. We can not answer why but, we can rest assured that God is in control. May you find comfort in the assurance that you have immediate access to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray to Him, seek comfort in Him. His word says "Come unto me all you that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." You family be in our thoughts and our prayers.

Steven Keller

August 14, 2001

CMSgt Rufi and Family

May the Spirit of the Living God comfort and keep you in perfect peace. My heart felt and earnest prayers are for your strength, comfort and wisdom. I hope that you will look to God for hope and healing and above trust. Even as a man of God myself I have no answers that would suffice at this time and I cannot empathize with you. But I know when we are absent from the body we are present with Lord. Have comfort in knowing that Stephen

is with God. And God always knows best. Chief if there is anything that I can do, I mean it anything don't hesitate to call me @ home 826-2107 or cell # 344-4775. In the mean time I will continue to pray your strength in the Lord. Rev Steven Keller (MSgt USAF Retired and former IG team member)

Christine Anderson

August 14, 2001

My prayers are with with you.

God Bless,

"Chris"

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