Rudolph "Rudy" Ruiz

1926 - 2018

Rudolph "Rudy" Ruiz
July 4, 1926 - September 10, 2018
A Resident of Santa Cruz, Ca
On September 10, 2018, Rudolph "Rudy" Ruiz, 92, passed away peacefully, in Santa Cruz County, CA. He was born on the 4th of July, 1926 in Fresno, CA and went to Fresno Poly Tech High School then received his Associates of Arts Degree in Business from Fresno City College. Rudy was a proud Navy Veteran, (Seaman Third Class R.E.) and served as a radio man aboard the USS Tantless and honorably discharged in 1946. Some of the many places he traveled in the Navy included The Yangtze River and to The Great Wall of China. After the war, he promptly returned home to marry his lifetime sweetheart, Paz Esquivel Pereschica of Pinedale, CA on February 16, 1947.
Rudy and Paz Ruiz, were married for sixty-one years and had four children, Rudy, Katherine (Ernie Banuelos), William, and Robert (Sheila Lane) and three "adopted" children James Ruiz, and Jose and Amelia Espinoza. They had twelve grandchildren: Patrick & Virginia Ruiz, Leslie Ruiz & Robert Berry, Eliza Ruiz & Marty Ambers, Jessica & Josiah Contreras, Johann Espinoza & Ivan Diaz, Andre Espinoza & Ruby Phillips and seven great-grandchildren Amanda & Miguel Hernandez, Megan Anderson, Cameron Ruiz, Julia Ruiz, Jamila Lankford, and Joaquin & Augustine Contreras. They also had numerous beloved nieces, nephews, God-children and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Guillermo & Maria Ruiz, brothers: Annie, Aurora, William, Albert & Victor, his oldest son: Rudolph Ruiz, Jr. and his wife, Paz Ruiz.
Rudy was a contractor, cabinet maker, and finish carpenter until his retirement. He was also a lifetime active member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8900 in which he helped found and build. He was a very proud Mexican-American and wanted to make sure generations of families had a place to go to celebrate and dance with friends and family. He spent over a decade refining VFW Post 8900 in Fresno, CA with his good friends and family members.
Rudy and Paz were well loved and known in their community for being compassionate neighbors, friends, lending an ear or helpful hand, or feeding their neighbors a colorful array of delicious Mexican food. Their motto was "There is no such thing as a stranger, just someone you haven't met yet". Holidays were always spent with family and friends and filled with rich laughs, great food and festivities.
Rudy loved to dance with Paz and the entire family has fond memories of the two of them lighting up the dance floor with their spectacular moves. They spent a lifetime dedicated to loving and supporting their family. They enjoyed vacationing with their children at Disneyland, camping, and eventually moved to their favorite vacation spot, Capitola, CA where Rudy resided for thirty-six years.
Rudy was a dedicated father and grandfather and always enjoyed making snacks to give to his grandchildren that he diligently shuttled around after school. He loved attending their sports games and school functions. He was profoundly proud of the academic and professional accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Most of all, Rudy was absolutely devoted to the happiness of his wife, Paz.
Services to honor his life will be held at Santa Cruz Memorial, Friday September 14, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. Services to lay his ashes beside Paz will be in Seaside, CA at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in December of 2018, dates and times to be announced. If you wish to extend your condolences to Rudy's family, share your memories, view or post photos, please visit www.scmemorial.com


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