John Francis Ruff, lived his life for others
John Francis Ruff, 75, was surrounded by his extended family at home when he passed peacefully Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
John grew up in Wilmington and summered at the Delaware beaches where he met Emmalea Mae Haber who would become his wife of 53 years. He made friends wherever he went and was always helping others.
Just out of the Marines when they met, John worked security for ADT and for Ferris School for Boys before joining Pipefitter’s Local 80 as an apprentice. Because he was a quick study and respected by his peers, he became an integral part of the local after graduation - sharing his love and talent with apprentices at the Delaware City refineries and teaching night classes, then holding positions as secretary and eventually president of Local #80 (now Local #74) where he was a 50-year member.
John attended Dickinson High School for a short time before entering the Marines, and in later years, he would train at Purdue University and the University of Michigan to earn his teaching certification for welding. He was always learning, teaching and working with his hands as exhibited by his many projects.
While an active Marine (Oorah!), John was stationed at Camp Lejeune, served in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and worked at NSA. He was a handsome soldier and his sisters enjoyed sharing his graduation pictures with their girlfriends (unbeknownst to John or his parents). That’s probably why Emmalea fell for him.
From that first encounter at the surfing beach of Indian River Inlet to their marriage within the year, John and Em were an item. Soon after, they were a family. With two growing kids, the Ruffs moved from an apartment into their first house in Eagle Glen and began a new, suburban adventure raising four kids, working hard, and building relationships with some great neighbors.
Love for family always came first with John. One of his greatest gifts to them was the house in Rehoboth Beach. Many Ruff family memories took place in Rehoboth. There, John spent most of his free time on the beach where everyone knew him as Brooklyn Avenue’s “Mayor of Rehoboth.” In retirement, he enjoyed playing pool at VFW Post 7447, the Cape Henlopen Senior Center and in a local league where he helped take the team to a national competition in Las Vegas. Most of all, John liked working on renovations at the beach house, projects with one of the kids, or on a task at Funland. He lived his life for others and was a blessing to all. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to help his family, friends, coworkers… even strangers. His heart was so big.
John’s faith was the backbone of who he was. He lived out 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 22:37-38 daily. Service to others was his calling and a gift he gave every day. No matter where he was or what he was doing, John was helpful, fun to be around, full of wisdom and advice, and always cared. So many people have expressed their love and shared memories of his work ethic in action as well as his thoughtfulness, jovial attitude, crazy antics and daring feats. Visit the Facebook group John “the Myth, the Man, the Legend” to join in. Reliving these memories with family by his side helped sustain John during his last days and has provided joy for all. He will be sorely missed.
John was preceded in death by his parents Eugene F. and Nora (McLaughlin) Ruff; stepmother Mary (Maloney) Ruff; brother Eugene M “Yogi” Ruff; and godson Roy David Thompson. He is survived by his wife Emmalea M Ruff; children: Michelle D (Ruff) and Scott Varner, John F. II and Jamie L. (Dyer) Ruff, Cheri R. (Ruff) and Israel C. Eleazar, and Jason L. and Joella A (Jones) Ruff; and grandchildren: Joshua and Nicholas Varner; John and Justin Ruff, and Miles, Bella, Skyler, Tristan and Kallea Eleazar. He will be missed dearly by his eight remaining siblings and their spouses: Fred “Beaver” and Andrea Ruff, Winifred (Ruff) and Royall Thompson, Mary (Ruff) Cathell, Thomas and Janeen (Brown) Ruff, Anita (Ruff) and Rainer Wolter, Bridget (Ruff) Napolski, Joseph and Deborah Ruff, and Anne (Ruff) and Horst Fischer; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, co-workers and friends.
John will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sussex County and a celebration of life will take place at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making contributions in John’s memory to Ministry of Caring Inc. at 115 E 14th St., Wilmington, DE 19801, www.ministryofcaring.org, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www..stjude.org/donate.
Please visit John's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
