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JOSEPH RUFFENACH Obituary
Relatives, friends, members of South Phila. Lions Club and Millay Club are invited to his Viewing Monday, 4 to 8 P.M., at St. Edmond Church, 21st St. and Snyder Ave., and Tuesday, 8 A.M., JOSEPH F. RUFFENACH FUNERAL HOME, 21st St. and Snyder Ave. Funeral Mass Tuesday, 10 A.M., St. Edmond Church. Int. Holy Sepulchre Cem. Please omit flowers. We would appreciate donations in our father's memory to The Millay Club, Joe Ruffenach Scholarship Fund, 1736 S. 10th St., Phila. PA 19148.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH RUFFENACH
Emilia Guilmartin
January 8, 2024
Was a really a good man. Never forget how he treated me when my husband passed many years ago thank you Emilia Guilmartin
Frank X. Cavallaro
January 9, 2022
Growing up in South Philly I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Ruffenach living only three doors away from his Funeral Home. I actually lived in his old home at 2109 S. 21st Street. Joseph always had a smile and a Hello for me when we crossed paths. He took great care of my Father upon his passing. I will always remember Him as one of the Great men in the neighborhood. RIP.
RoseAnn Guarnere
February 5, 2011
To The Ruffenach Family,
"What the heart has once owned and had, it shall never lose."
May the care of friends bring you comfort and loving memories heal your heart.
Laurie Ehlbeck
January 25, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I have known and loved Joseph Ruffenach for 36 years and have so many wonderful stories and experiences to remember him why. He was a wonderful man and a loving and thoughtful grandfather to my children.
EMILIA GUILMARTIN
January 21, 2011
TO THE RUFFENACH FAMILY I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOUR FATHER WAS A SPECIAL MAN I USED HE SERVICES. WHAT WAS THE MOST SPECIAL WAS WHEN MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AND I HANDED HIM THE CHECK FOR HIS SERVICES AND HE HANDED ME BACK 25.00 IN CASH AND SAID TAKE YOUR OUT TO DINNER ITS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET AFTER 23 YEARS EMILIA GUILMARTIN GUILMARTI
Jon Harrison
January 20, 2011
"Joe, Mike, Paul, Joan, Steve, & Monica. I'm extremely sorry to hear of the loss of Papa Joe. He was a awesome man and I know I am one of many who would agree."
BILL TAYLOR
January 20, 2011
TO RUFFENACH FAMILY: YOUR FATHER HAD QUITE A LIFE FROM WHAT I READ AND KNOW FROM KNOWING AND GROWING UP WITH HIS SONS AROUND POE SCHOOL AND SAINT MONICA'S,I AM FROM SAINT ED'S PARISH YOU HAVE MY HEART FELT CONDOLENCES TO YOU ALL. MY FAMILY HAS USED HIS SERVICES IN THE PAST AND THE RUFFENACH'S WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL,CARING AND COMPASSIONATE---I SHALL NEVER FORGET.
WITH GREAT REGARDS AND RESPECT--
SINCERELY
Mike DiMuzio
January 20, 2011
To the entire Ruffenach Family,
Your dad was always there with a comforting smile and soothing voice. Thank you for sharing him with us. May God bless you all during this difficult time.
Rosalie Cantone Rossi
January 19, 2011
Although we have only met Joe a few time through Lucy Cohen, he has been a true gentleman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Rosalie Rossi and Family
Donna Di Gravio
January 18, 2011
The entire Di Gravio Family would like to express our sincere condolences to the Ruffenach Family. Your father was always there for us in our time of need and our prayers are with you all.
Herk Palombaro
January 18, 2011
Michael and Family: I am sorry for your loss and not making your father's viewing. Your father was a gentleman's gentleman. He would always offer to buy coffee in the morning at Cou's when he was having breakfast. ps he never bought! LOL Herk "73"
Jack Boyle
January 18, 2011
I have already commented, but I would like Joe to hold a candle for me to show me the right way to overcome the darkness of my remaining days here. For Joe was a leader.
Mark DiMuzio
January 18, 2011
To all the Ruffenachs,
You have all been there for us in our time of need, know in your heart that we are all with you. You should be proud, your Dad was truely a gentleman.
Jack Boyle
January 17, 2011
Joe Ruffenach will be missed by all who ever met him. He was a gentleman and a gentle man to everyone. I am
proud to have been a friend and classmate of Joe's. I hope to meet him in Heaven, if I can make it. Because I know Joe is there already.
Jack Boyle ,Southeast Catholic, Class of 1948
January 17, 2011
to all the Ruffenach Family--I express my sympathy and offer prayers for each of you. Your Father was a true gentleman. He will be missed by many. St. Monica Parish was blessed with such a faithful friend.
Sister Kathleen White
January 17, 2011
Ruffenach Family,Joe will be missed by all who ever met him.My wife and I ARE TWO OF THE LUCKT5 ONES.He was always a gentleman,honest and always very given.May God Bless his Soul and all his family.[Joe , you don't have to carry me up the steps. Iwill miss you. Jim ] Carol and Jim Hopkins
Patti (Cashner) Morris
January 17, 2011
Joe my sympathy goes out to you and your family. I know what you are going through I lost Mom and my Dad in the last year and a half. I hope you find comfort in all the kind words spoken here it seems your Dad was a well liked and well respected man.
Carlo Scafetta
January 17, 2011
To: Joe, Michael, Paul, Joan, Steven and Monica
I was saddened to hear about the loss of your father. He was a great man, with a great sense of humor and the patience of a saint. He will surely be missed by all who new him. I will always remember the good times that I had in your home with him and your family. May he rest in peace. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Ted Nulty
January 17, 2011
I am sorry for your loss. Joe was one of the "good guys", always a smile on his face, a quick witted joke and a nice word for everyone. His legacy is in his family and you are doing him proud.
Gabe Staino
January 17, 2011
To all the Ruffenachs,
Please except our condolances. Joe was a wonderful person and a true friend to my inlaws the Gentile's and Verica's. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Sincerely,
Gabe Staino
Katy Melfi Mazzio
January 17, 2011
So sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
January 17, 2011
To all the Ruffenachs,
Joe was a first class gentleman as was the tradition of all the Ruffenachs. He and Vic, Jr. buried all of my family and in later years my wife's also. Our condolences to the family and our prayers are for the happy repose of his sole.
Bill Mayberry and wife Maryanne Fralinger Mayberry
Avondael, Arizona
Lowther Family
January 17, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Peter Bruso
January 16, 2011
Joe -
I just learned of your father's passing and was deeply saddened. I recall him fondly as a real gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor. I am sure you will all miss him deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
January 16, 2011
Michael and Lynn,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. He was such a nice man. ALways took the time to say hello to you, whenever he saw you. I have a little story to share with you, when I was 12 yrs. old my Dad died, and I rem. my Mom telling me this story, that when she went to pay the funeral bill, your Dad gave her 25.00 back and told her to go buy a hat. When my mom died and I went over to pay her bill, your dad gave me money and told me to stop on the way home and get an ice cream soda. I guess because they don't wear hats anymore. That just shows you what kind of a man he was, kind and generous. I will never forget that and will never forget Joe Ruffenach.
Kathy and Whitey Gibson
January 16, 2011
To the Ruffenach Family.Your father was a true gentleman and a pillar in the community.He will be missed.My sincere thoughts and condolences to everyone. Geri DiSantis
JACK NULTY
January 16, 2011
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF JOE
RUFFENACH, I WAS SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER, HE WAS ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS, AND HE ALWAYS MADE ME LAUGH
I AM SURE HE WILL BE MISSED.
Jim Brady
January 16, 2011
Dear Joe and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a good man, a true gentleman and I know he will be missed by not only you and your family but by his many friends.
I would also like to extend my Mom's condolences to all of you.
Sincerely,
Jim Brady and family
nancy carto
January 16, 2011
A wonderful man and family man.!! My condolence and prayers to all of the Ruffenach family during this sad time.
DOLORES DEL RASO
January 16, 2011
WE WERE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF A GREAT MAN....HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR US ON MANY SAD OCCASIONS...HE HELPED BURY MANY OF OUR LOVED ONES ...HE WILL BE MISSED...DOLORES & VINCENT DEL RASO
January 16, 2011
Dear Aunt Lucy-
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and the rest of Joe's family. Joe's joy, kindness, generosity, wit and humor will be sorely missed. I always looked forward to seeing that mischievous glint in his eye and that smile on his face. One of my favorite memories of him takes me back to about 1994. We were having dinner at Grandmom's house and you and Joe were there along with everyone else. I decided to make a lemon meringue pie for the first time. Even though the lemon was runny and the meringue was flat and chewy, Joe went out of his way to say how delicious it was and he even had a second piece of that inedible pie- I know he did it just to make me feel better. What a great person you chose to share your life with. Every time we think about him, it will bring a smile to our faces.
Take care, and all of our love,
Debbie and Jerry
January 16, 2011
Dear Michael and Lynn,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. He was such a nice man. Always would stop and say hello, no matter where you were. I have little story to share with you, I was 12 years old when my Dad died, but I always remembered my Mom telling me about the time she went to pay my Dad's funeral bill. Your Dad gave her $25.00 and told her to go buy a hat. When my Mom died and I went to pay her funeral bill, your Dad did the same thing, gave me money and told me to stop on the way home for an ice cream soda. I guess because women don't wear hats any more. Thats the kind of person your Dad was kind and generous. I will never forget that and never forget the kind man that he was.
Kathy and Whitey Gibson
Pat Gentile
January 16, 2011
To the Ruffenach Family - I am so sorry on the loss of your father. He took care of many of my family members who passed on and your business was right up the street from my dad's restaurant - Letoni Bar & Restaurant at 20th and Snyder.
Ron DeJulius
January 16, 2011
To The Ruffenach Family: I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was such a great guy and a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with him and your entire family. South Philly has lost one of its finest.
January 15, 2011
Dear Monica and family , Your father was a wonderful person! I know how much you will miss him. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. Jane and Joan Mulgrew ( Kissimmee, FL.)
Maria Chirico
January 15, 2011
To the Ruffenach Family. I am very sad to here of Joe's passing. I grew up on the 2100 block of woodstock st.I looked forward to him driving down the street every night on his way home from work. He was very good friends with my parents. He would stop the car and tell us a joke. He will be missed by all. God just got the best of the best.
Patricia Lauriello
January 15, 2011
To the Ruffenach family- Joe buried most of my family - he was a wonderful man and it was a honor to know him. God Bless. The Lauriello family
January 15, 2011
To The Ruffenach Family.I am so sorry to here of Joe's passing I Grew up on the 2100 block of woodstock St.I looked forward to seeing him drive down the street on his way home from work every night. He was very good friends with my parents. He told the best jokes.He will be missed by all. Heaven just got the best of the best.
January 15, 2011
Dear Steve and family - Sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anna Marie (Rabottini) Snader
Tom Colantuono
January 15, 2011
Dear Steven and family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this time of mourning. Your father was a great man and a pillar of strength in the community. I apologize for not being able to attend his service but will keep him in my prayers. Peace be with you all.
Colleen and Bill Rutledge
January 15, 2011
To Aunt Lucy and all the Ruffenach family. We are all deeply saddened by Uncle Joe's passing. He was a big part of our lives for many years. I never heard him utter a bad word about anyone...and he always had a joke for you! How he remembered them all, I'll never know! Our most fond memories were at the "Margate House". If it wasn't for him generously opening the doors to his house to us, our family would not have been able to enjoy so many summers down the shore. God Bless Uncle Joe! May he rest in the arms of the Blessed Mother and the Sacred Heart of Jesus now and forever!
Bill and Colleen Rutledge and family
January 15, 2011
To Aunt Lucy and all the Ruffenach family. We are all deeply saddened by Uncle Joe's passing. He was a big part of our lives for many years. I never heard him utter a bad word about anyone...and he always had a joke for you! How he remembered them all, I'll never know! Our most fond memories were at the "Margate House". If it wasn't for him generously opening the doors to his house to us, our family would not have been able to enjoy so many summers down the shore. God Bless Uncle Joe! May he rest in the arms of the Blessed Mother and the Sacred Heart of Jesus now and forever!
Joseph Palombaro
January 15, 2011
Dear Michael and the entire Ruffenach Family my sincere and deepest condolences go out to you and your family. Joe was a great man I remember the good times we had over a sandwich at the grocery store while he was waiting for the funeral mass to end at St.Al's God Bless him and your family. I will keep him and your family in my prayers. Joe May you Rest In Peace for all Eternity with all my love Joe Palombaro and the Palombaro Family.
Michael & Dotty Barnhill
January 14, 2011
Dear Joe and the entire Ruffenach Family, My life has been blessed having shared time with your father at your family gatherings. He always hugged me like I was one of his own and he made me laugh til I hurt every time. I will always think of him and smile. Michael & I will not be able to participate in the services, but know we are with you in spirit and our prayers & love are abundantly sent. As people of God, we remember the Easter Promise and look forward to the day when we join our loved ones in the House of Our Lord. God's Peace to each of you. Love, Dotty & Michael
January 14, 2011
Dear Michael, Lynn and family,
I am so very sorry for all of your family's loss. My deepest sympathies to all of you and many prayers for Joseph Sr. and the entire family.
May God Bless you all especially during this time of grief.
Sincerely, Kathleen Leonard
January 14, 2011
We are all so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a Great person, and will be truly missed by everyone.We will miss him dearly. May God Bless Joe and your family. The Falcones
Carolyn Nolan (Clarke)
January 14, 2011
My thought and prayers are with you all. I'm sorry to hear about your Dad he was a wonderful man.
Wayne Soojian
January 14, 2011
To the Ruffenach family. I'm saddened to hear about your loss. While I called your father 'Mr. Ruffenach', I'll always remember him as 'Uncle Joe'. He was a wonderful man and always had a kind word for everyone. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Rosemary Sanvitale
January 14, 2011
To all of Mr. Ruffenach's family members,
I am deeply saddened by the death of your beloved father, I will miss his smiling face and his most gracious way of greeting you. I was honored to know him .
Again my condolences, Rosemary Sanvitale
January 14, 2011
Dear Ruffenach Family,
For years your Dad and his sons were there for my family memebers who have past and you were all so kind we are all so sorry for the loss of your Dad. The Short's, Keiter's and the Dadario Family will miss him, he was a gentleman, and a very classy guy he will be missed more than you could know. Take care of yourselves you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Frank X. Cavallaro
January 14, 2011
"My name is Frank Cavallaro and for many years my family lived (1962 - 1986) at 2109 S. 21st Street. Just to jog memories, 2109 S. 21st Street use to be the location of Ruffenach Funeral Home. With the enterence to the basement at the front of the home, many a day I use to shower (as a boy) in the basement and wonder just how many bodies were cleaned in that shower.
In 1967 (I was 16 years old) my Father passed and Joe was there for me and my siblings whenever we asked for his help or guidance. I never got to meet Joe's family so I wanted to pass on my condoleneces to you and express my sorry on your lose.
Joe was one of the GREAT guys in my past and although he will be missed by many, I keep him in my thoughts often.
I am now 60 years old and I have tried to live my life like I remember Joe living his..... always freindly... always a smile.... always there when you needed him. May God Bless Joe and your family."
Patty Forte-Notarfrancesco
January 14, 2011
Dear Ruffenach Family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a wonderful man. It so nice to see him when I would go back to St. Edmonds for an event or funeral and he remembered me. My deepest condolences.
Harry Faris
January 14, 2011
South Philadelphia and Saint Edmond's in particular has lost another giant. This man, his son, Steven, and before him, his father, Victor, served my parents and my grandparents. This family is one of the true jewels of our community. My sympathies to the family and to all of us who knew Joe.
The Teodoro Family
January 14, 2011
Our sympathy, love & prayers are with you and your family.
Ellen McCrossen
January 14, 2011
To the Ruffenach Family I am sorry to hear about your Dad he was a GREAT GUY and a good friend to My Dad and my family
My Dad loved him they use to hang out together and tell jokes they though they were funny and I guess that was all that matter My thoughts and prayers are with you
Anthony Mangano
January 14, 2011
To Steve & Family:
It would take a long letter to express how we feel at this sad time. We will always keep your Dad close to our hearts as we remember his good deeds and kindness toward us and others. We know where he is now and that's a good thing. May your sadness turn into joy as you are comforted by the Lord.
*Tony & Jay*
Anita DiGiovanniantonio-Fabrizio
January 14, 2011
Your family has taken care of many of us over the years during our sad times with compassion and dignity. It is now our turn to support you. I'll always remember your Dad's smile and how he came out in the snow to my Dad's viewing. He's a true gentleman, and a real class act.
Ann Vassallo
January 14, 2011
Dear Ruffenach Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I am remembering your father as a man who was a wonderful neighbor, friend, gentleman and an asset to our community.My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Ann P. Vassallo
Frances Meloni
January 14, 2011
The South Philadelphia Lions Club Members extend their heartfelt condolences to Lion Lucy Cohen and to his
family. Lion Joe was a 55+ yr. member having served as a Past President, Member of the Board of Directors, Chairperson of countless fund raising events and a Lions International Melvin Jones Fellow recipient. Joe was an asset to our club and will sorely be missed. May God Bless You Joe.
Maria Ranieri
January 14, 2011
To the Ruffenach Family
Your Dad was a great guy,and I will alway's remember him and his kindness. Everytime, I would meet him he had a smile on his face a kind words for me. He will truly be miss by everyone who new him.
Maria Ranieri
January 14, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
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