John F. Ruf Jr.

John F. Ruf Jr. of Doylestown, PA passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025. He was 83 years old. John was the beloved husband of Susanne J. Ruf with whom he had shared over 61 years of marriage. He was born in Philadelphia, a son of the late John and Dorothy Ruf Sr. In addition to his wife John is survived by his loving children; Donna Susi (John), Dottie Costanzo (Samuel), Denise Moser (Scott), John Ruf III (The Dorothy B.), grandchildren; Austin, Tyler, Nicholas, Carlie, Madison, Zachery, Wyatt, Ava, step grandchildren; Daniel, Melanie, Sofia and Ava, great grandchildren; Mason, Magdalena, Penelope, Evlynn, Noah, Eli, Aiden, Cooper, Caden and Kolson, A sister; Carol Weidner (Lou). In addition to his parents John was predeceased by a brother, Terence Ruf.

John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather always putting his family first. At a very early age, John was a creative soul, visionary entrepreneur, and forward thinker. John graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia, Pa in1961. After graduating from high school, he briefly attended college before pursuing a career in insurance and securities, eventually becoming a vice president.

At age 29, John gave up his securities career and gambled on starting his own business based on his hobby, being a sea buff and admiring nautical artifacts. His passion for the sea, war ships and nautical items lead him to bid on an old WWII Liberty Ship, John did not win the bid on the ship. Determined to succeed, John bid on another WWII ship and won the bid. There were 2,200 liberty ships at the end of the war and at the time of Johns first bid on the ships, there were only 40 ships remaining. John would strip the ships of hatch covers, captains' bunks, ships wheels, portholes, engine telegraphs, divers helmets, anchors, harpoons, whale boats, and navigational instruments due to his desire to save these nautical artifacts. This was the beginning of his furniture company, Nautical Crafts, Inc., and the famous hatch cover table that became a staple in thousands of family homes. John grew the business by selling to retail stores along the eastern coast and in the New England states. In 1973, John was invited to be a guest on the poplar tv show for children, Captain Noah. Reluctant to accept the invitation, his young children convinced him to go onto national TV as they were extremely fond of the show.

As the years passed, John expanded the business by branching out into nautical interior design and decorated the Seafood Shanty restaurants in PA and NJ. In addition, John decorated Gurney's Inn located in Montauk, on Long Island, NY, as well as many other restaurants and inns. Being the forward thinker he was, John purchased an old barn on York Road in Jamison and restored it into his new retail space for Nautical Crafts, Inc. Over the years, the furniture store expanded and sold nautical paintings, scrimshaw jewelry, hand carved wooden ducks, original stamped paintings, women and men's boating apparel, dishware, lamps, and all things nautical. It became apparent to John it was becoming more difficult to find and rescue the nautical artifacts within our county. John then branched out into the wholesale business of designing and importing nautical brass items which he sold to retail gift shops across the United States. John would travel to Taiwan numerous times a year to ensure his molds were precise and his products were of the highest quality. John and his family would travel the United States doing wholesale trade shows.

Later, John once again sparked another creative idea and created the company, Mail A Gift, which he ran out of the same barn as Nautical Crafts, Inc. This company specialized in purchasing gifts under ten dollars. These were able to drop in a mailbox with two stamps; the gifts, of course, carried a nautical theme. They consisted of book markers, key chains and letter openers that were attached to a greeting card and envelope.

In 1981, John opened a second retail shop, The Little Brass Duck at Bay Village on Long Beach Island which his daughters ran for him every summer. A third retail shop was opened in Smithville Village in Smithville, NJ, followed by a permanent showroom at The Omni in Atlanta, Ga.

After decades of being in business, John moved to the Florida Keys and started another furniture company specializing in Coastal Furniture. When John's mother became ill, he returned to Bucks County to help take care of her. He then opened a kitchen and bath granite store on Route 611 in Warrington called, Let's Get Stoned. After years of being in business, John sold the business and opened another business called Take Us 4 Granite on Countyline Road in Warminster which specialized in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, sinks, tiles, granite, and quartz.

John and his wife Susanne moved to Cape May, NJ in 2014 to be back on the water. John's sister, Carol, continued to run the company until they officially closed the doors. John and Sue moved back to Doylestown, Pa. in 2022 to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The sea spoke to John in both his personal life and business. John had a passion and deep love for being on the water. John loved being on his many sailboats, fishing boats, and flatboats. He loved fishing and fly fishing. In the winter months, John loved to ski. John loved to have a good food fight with his children and grandchildren. He loved going to Jimmy Buffet concerts, the Phillies games and he loved watching football as a lifetime Philadelphia Eagles fan.

John could build anything with his hands; the amazing family he built was made from pure love and a boat load of fun. The wonderful family that he created started the day John spotted a beautiful young girl at a Friday night football game and asked her to go on a date with him. John was 16 and Susanne was 15. They had been inseparable ever since. His wife, Susanne, always believed in John and supported all his business endeavors. Susanne was his best asset and helped John build his businesses. They went to work every day together and came home every evening together. John would consistently convey his love for his wife, and his famous story was telling people they never ever had an argument. Johns remaining years were spent in a lovely cottage that he adored on his sons-in-law property. John loved to water the flowers his wife planted, feeding and watching the birds, and collecting pinecones.

John's remaining days were at home, surrounded by his wife and family. John will be forever missed. John's services were held privately.

In Lieu of flowers memorials in John's memory may be made to any SPCA location.