Ernest Paul John

Ernest John Obituary

JOHN, ERNEST PAUL Ernest Paul John, born on August 20, 1915, went by many names in his lifetime. To his four children, he was Dad; and when the grandchildren and great- grandchildren came along, he was called Papa. To his friends and colleagues at the Al Bahr Shrine, he was known as "Ruffles the Clown." To his loving wife, he was Ernie. Ernie and his wife Fran were married 65 years ago in Boston. They moved to San Diego in the winter of 1941 and raised their four children, Patricia MacAulay, Beverly Goward, Paul John, and Elizabeth Hennessey. Initially he found work at Ryan Aircraft as a mechanic, and in 1950, he established "Ernie John's Plumbing, Inc." where he continued to work into his late 80's. In 1965 Ernie joined the Al Bahr Shrine, finding his niche in the Clown Unit. His clown name, "Ruffles," was born out of the elaborate, Elizabethan-style collar, hand-sewn by his wife Fran. As Ruffles the Clown, he found great satisfaction bringing joy to children around the globe. From Japan to London, and across the United States, Ruffles visited hospitals, burn centers, and numerous fund-raising events, dazzling youngsters and loving every minute. Many organizations benefited from his quiet generosity. The Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, the Sneaker Fund for burned and crippled children, the International Shrine Clown Association, the Scottish Rite program for Aphasic children, the Polinsky Center, and the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego are among the many organizations that are grateful to Ernie John for his volunteer work as a clown, and for his substantial donations over the years. Any organization that helped children in need touched his heart and benefited from his generosity. Raising a close-knit and loving family was to Ernie the most important aspect of his life. He let nothing come before family. Holidays at the John household were blessed with large gatherings of 20 or more relatives, spanning four generations. He died on March 19, 2006, surrounded by family. His perseverance and the love for his family kept him going vigorously for 90 years! Services will be held at San Diego Scottish Rite Center, 1895 Camino del Rio South in Mission Valley, April 1st, 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Scottish Rite Child Language Center at the above address, or the Shrine Children's Hospital in care of Al Bahr Shrine, 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd., San Diego, CA 92111.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Mar. 26, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest John

11 Entries

Judy Johnson

April 17, 2006

Thank you for all your love of life and Stories. I will cherish the 2000 Disney Parade we were in.you were so kind taking the time to tell me about your many years of clowning. JuJuBee

Jeanne Woska

April 16, 2006

I love you for everything you gave us. You will be missed.

Bonita "Bon Bon" Love

April 15, 2006

It was my pleasure to know Ruffles the clown. He competed at many clown conventions. Ernie John was a clown at heart. Princess, Bon Bon & Ruffles attended the C.O.A.I. clown convention in SouthPort England. Ruffles took his name from the incredible heavily starched ruffled collar that he wore around his neck. His collar is something to behold. Ernie John used to pick up the day old baked goods at the Vons on Adams Ave. and take them to a charity. Ernie "Ruffles" John has touched many lives and will be missed.

Matthew Hennessey

April 13, 2006

The love I would share with my grandpa, Papa. It’s not everyday that a man comes into your life and changes it forever; many people if they’ve had such an experience, they would call it finding Jesus. I know, now that my Papa has, and I know that the lord is holding my Papa’s hand, and when he brings enough comfort to the man who changed my life, forever, peace will blanket him with the courage to accept what is the cycle of life; the perseverance to move on in his life. If there was ever a man in my life that taught me to expect more, and apply it not only to myself, but also to those around me, it’s been you Papa.

Papa’s words -- a perfectionist, not the kind with a clean basement, but instead the kind with immaculate work ethic. He embodied the philosophy of a library, collecting and sorting. The living room of his house was his personal tropical beach and where he would lounge in his briefs, sprawled out in the sea green mechanical chair. Party, his favorite word for a family gathering, because what could be more important than family? To Papa, nothing was more important. When it came to describing his children and grandchildren he would say, they are beautiful, brilliant, and perfect.

My trip with Papa to Boston. It’s not all to common to hear about traveling partners being 65 years apart, but for Papa and I that was just the case. The flight from San Diego to Logan airport, Boston is approximately five and one half hours distance, a traveling time that is difficult for anyone, but especially for those with chronic back pain. I would have expected him to complain the entire time about the uncomfortable chairs, but no, he didn’t complain instead he persevered with great composure. Now the rental car agency; Papa was a strong eighty five, walking with two candy canes hunched over from his nearly fatal car crash. He tromped through the front door of Hertz with all four feet moving in unison to the front counter. By the time our paperwork was finished Papa looked up at the man behind the counter and said, “is it okay if my grandson drives the car?” After the man’s quick speech about policy he turned directly to Papa and said, but what happens off the grounds of this parking lot is out of our control.

Beverly Goward

April 1, 2006

A Letter to Dad

Dad, you died on the last night of winter in the 'winter of your life'on a cold and rainy night surrounded by the warmth and love of your children. The one thing us kids had promised ourselves is that you wouldn' die alone.

It is said that hardships help us discover our inner strengths and resources. Well, Dad you worked so hard all of your life because you wanted your children to have an easier life than you. You were not well educated in the traditional sense, but you were daring, entrepreneurial and clever- you were one of the smartest men I ever knew. You created two successful businesses, became wealthy, sat on board of directors and were so well-known and respected in the business world.

And, at the end of the day, when you finished making money, you didn't sit back and relax, but spent hours 'fund raising,' donating time and money to those less fortunate. I love you for being so generous, but even more so because you did this without any fanfare. You never bragged, you never wanted acknowledgement or accolades. A smile on a little child's face was enough. Your four children did not know the great extent of your philantropies until we found an old box piled high with treasures of your deeds- letters, certificates and newspaper articles from around the world dating back to the 1950's. All you wanted for every child was not to have to struggle and do without like you had. Dad, I wish you were here today so could tell you how proud I am of you.

Dad, I never told you how much I admired you and how you engrained in me the 'guiding spirit' of my life. You told me, "If you can't do something right, don't do it at all." So I learned early that if I brought home 'A's' on my school work that I would get lots of praise. You probably didn't know how I stayed up late at night studying and perfecting projects so I could get the top grade. You taught me to excel and be the best that I could. And, everyday, I try to be the best daughter, the best wife, and best mother to my three daughters. And, at work, to be the best nurse, healing and comforting sick children. Thank you Dad for instilling this is me.

Dad, as you struggled so hard the last year of your life, the doctors often told us you wouldn't make it through the night. But, you always came back more broken in body but stronger in spirit. You see, you never wanted to be left behind- so you stayed alive to see a grandchild graduate or get married, a great-grandchild be born, or just to be with family to celebrate the holidays.

So, when the doctors said two weeks ago that you would soon be gone, I had trouble believing it. On that last night of winter, after being in a coma all day, you opened your eyes one last time and looked into the eyes of your children and granddaughter and struggled so hard to silently mouth the words over and over, "I love you. I love you." You were not alone.

Dad, please be assured, the one thing that was always constant in our lives was the knowledge of your great love of family and mankind. I am so very lucky to have been born into this wonderful family.

I love you, Bev

The Candyman

March 31, 2006

I was saddended to learn of the passing of "Ruffles the Clown." We crossed paths frequently in area Parades. He was in character as "Ruffles the Clown" and I in costume as "The Candyman." Before the Parades started we had time for some "serious" clown conversation. During those times we only knew each others clown names. But in reading the story of his life I found we had many work related discussions in the late 1950's. As part of his plumbing business,when a line was clogged or needed to be replaced, he would call the City of San Diego Sewerage Division to request sewer lateral locations. I answered many of those calls to provide information from city maps and records. Now and then he would stop into the office to verify a difficult location.

His passing leaves a void in many lives, but the smiles he created over the years live on in the faces of those whose lives he brightened.

"The Candyman"

JANET KRUK BROWN

March 29, 2006

I am sorry to hear about your father's passing. I remember many happy times with your family on Crane Street.

Kathy "Grandma Huggs" Cannon

March 29, 2006

I had the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Ruffles 90th Birthday (along with other members of the San Diego All Star Clown Club) Since I had heard so many wonderful things about him, I was thrilled to finally meet him.

Ruffles' family were all so kind to allow us to share this occassion with them. It was a FUN day that I will always remember. Since then, everyday as I drive on the 125 Fwy. just passed the 94 Fwy. I always wave hello to Ruffles.
I know he will be missed by his family and everyone that knew him. I was Blessed to see his big beautful smile in person and meet his loving family.
My love and sympathy goes out to all.

Ruth Anne (Sarofeen) Grabowski

March 27, 2006

Thoughts and prayers to Aunt Fran & family. I'll never forget the time I spent with Uncle Ernie & Aunt Fran back in 1985/1986 when I got to visit with them. Always looked forward to "Ruffles" visits to Boston and all of the balloon animals anyone could ever ask for!

michael thomaselli

March 27, 2006

words cannot describe the sorrow iam feeling at the passing of mr ernie john. my heart goes out to his family .i know what they are feeling as my father passed away two years ago and i remember seeing ernie john there at my fathers wake at the elks club. I will never forget how he use to come by my parents house about once a week to stop and chat with my mom and dad and us boys if we happened to be there that day . he was always so kind and likeable and always full of life and of stories about the days events or some past rememberance.even after he stopped coming by due to his health we would alway ask dad how ernie johns was doing or if he saw him at the elks club .mr john was certainly one of a kind and he will sadly be missed by me and my family .when i would drive down palm ave. in lemon grove i would always look off of the bridge they built that cut through his property hoping to see him there but usually it was his plumbing van or even before that all the ducks that would be running around the yard that was the first time i meet him was back when he had the ducks and my brother and paul john were doing some work on the house , that long ago. thank you for letting me share that with you he will always be in my memories.

Barbara Lopez

March 27, 2006

Mr. John was a great neighbor for the 28 years that we lived on the same street. We lived two houses away and he was always good to my boys and let them play and ride their motorcycle in the field behind his house. We remember him as the clown, too. He was appreciated for all the great work he did for others.

With Sympathy,

Barbara Lopez

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