Joseph J. Rukus

RUKUS, Joseph J. Joseph J. Rukus, 96, of South Windsor, beloved husband of Alice (Brazauski) Rukus, passed away on Monday, (May 24, 2004) at Manchester Memorial Hospital. He was born in Hartford, son of the late Michael and Cecelia (Barris) Rukus, and had lived in Manchester most of his life. Joe farmed in Wapping for 35 years and was a member of the AARP and the Senior Citizens of Manchester. He took up the art of magic and was a inventor of many magic tricks as well as being a performer. In the year 1935, he was the winner of The Sphinx Award for the best trick invented for that year. Joe also wrote for a variety of magazines, including The Sphinx, The Linking Ring, and The Geni. He was a member of The Society of American Magicians, The Order of Robert Houdini, The International Brotherhood of Magicians and Eastern States Alliance of Magicians. He was well known throughout the state in the art of magic and after giving up performing in 1950, he was employed as a lead man for Cheney Brothers, retiring after 25 years of service. Besides his wife of 65 years, Alice, he is survived by a son, Robert and his wife Frances Rukus of Ellington; two grandchildren, Christopher and Carolyn Rukus, both of Charlotte, NC; a brother, Tony Rukus of Palm Harbor, FL. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Mary Willumitis; and two brothers, Charles and John Rukus. Family and friends may gather on Friday, May 28, 9:15 a.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor, with a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 673 Ellington Rd., South Windsor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Poquonock. His family will receive friends on Thursday, May 27, 6-8 p.m., at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Joseph may be made to The American Cancer Society, Memorial Dept., PO Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450-1004 or The American Diabetes Assoc., 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450.