Toby J. Ruel

Toby J. Ruel, 61, of Bartlett, NH passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Concord Hospital in Laconia, NH. He was born in Berlin, NH on November 26, 1964, the son of Eleanor M. (Blanchard) Woodward and Leo Ruel.

I met Toby when we were 12 years old and we became instant best friends. Our 38-year marriage was built on the foundation of a friendship spanning 50 years. Toby was always a hard worker whether it was his first job as a farmhand on the Watson Farm, Dam Worker, for Midway starting as a laborer and working his way up to a drilling/blasting team, he would say, “Who wouldn’t want to get paid to blow things up all day!” Later Toby drove for I.T.C. as a long-haul driver, and then Ramsey Trucking in Gorham, NH when our daughter was born.

We chose Mt Washington Valley to raise our daughter Olivia, and that became home 25 years ago. Toby wasn’t just a father, he was Olivia’s Dad and he took great joy in that from singing in a talent show, school plays, ocean fishing, looking for shells or sea glass, often a late-night confidant – talking about anything, hunting or just walking in the woods. He truly was ever present for Olivia – her true North Star.

Toby met A.J. and started at DiSilva Heating and members of the DiSilva family became our family! Family and friends were everything to Toby and often they were one and the same - from family time at camp to “hunting camp”, holiday get togethers, ”jeeping,” cooking, game nights, trips to any shore or a road trip with us or one of his “guys” it was truly an adventure with many stories and laughs to share!

There was a quiet kindness to Toby and a deep appreciation for everything- whether you called him Son, Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Big Guy, Ybot, Toby the Great or Friend he will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts – one of our nephews summed it up perfectly “ Toby’s the kind of guy your lucky enough to know”.

Rest easy Toby may your aim be true and your waters be following.

He is survived by his wife Maureen Ruel of Bartlett; his daughter Olivia Ruel of Bartlett; his mother Eleanor Woodward of Berlin; his siblings Krystal Chapman and husband Kevin of Berlin and Laura-Lee Roman and husband Sean of Florida; a sister-in-law Terri Ruel of Errol; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Leo, his brothers Scott and Carl.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Toby’s memory may be made to the NH Fish & Game Dept. – Endangered Wildlife Program, 11 Hazen Dr., Concord, NH 03301 or a conservation charity of your choosing. Arrangements are entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Homes & Crematory, Berlin & Gorham. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.bryantcares.com.