Ryan's grandpa's obituary:
William J. Ruffini, 90, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday, March 20, 2008, in Tavares, Florida after a brief illness.
Born on July 14, 1917, in Roswell, Ohio he was the son of the late Silvio and Adella Gasparetti Ruffini.
He attended Uhrichsville High School. On June 15, 1950, he married the love of his life, Lillian K. Shull Ruffini. This year they would have celebrated 58 years of marriage.
William served in the military during World War II. He enlisted in the Army in October of 1942 and served in the 728th Railroad Operating Battalion.
Prior to his military service, Willie had been in training camp for the Boston Braves Baseball team as a pitcher. He was inducted into the Tuscarawas County Baseball Hall of Fame July 4, 1976. He was a Uhrichsville Little League baseball manager for many years. He also was a member of the Tuscarawas County Cy Young Old-timers Baseball Assn.
William worked for HK Porter in Uhrichsville, O., as a clay worker for many years. He later retired from the Ohio Historical Society after 20 years of service.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia and was a member of the Sacred Heart Senior Citizens. He was also a devoted animal lover.
In addition to his wife, Lillian, he is also survived by two sons; William C. (wife, Pam) Ruffini of Brighton, Mich., David L. (wife, Claudia) Ruffini of Pickerington, O.; one daughter, Crystal Quicksall of New Philadelphia; six grandchildren, Shannon (husband, Jeff) Pennington of Canton, Mich., Timothy Ruffini of Savannah, Ga., Marcie (husband, Troy) Herzig of Canal Winchester, O., Ryan Quicksall of Columbus, O., Aaron and Lindsey Ruffini both of Pickerington; three great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Ava Herzig both of Canal Winchester and William Pennington of Canton, Mich.; one sister, Florence Berni of Dennison; and one brother, Joseph Ruffini of Uhrichsville.
William is preceded in death by brothers; Lawrence, Floyd, Louis, and John Ruffini, as well as two infant brothers and a sister, Mary Rosa.
A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia on Monday, March 24, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. with Msgr. George J. Schlegel officiating. Friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory in New Philadelphia, 246 East High Ave., on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Christian Wake service will take place on Sunday at 6:45 p.m.
Those unable to attend, or wishing to share a fond memory, may sign the online register book for William by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home’s Web site.
The family suggests that monetary donations be made in William’s name to the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, at 2143 Prysi Rd. NW, Sugarcreek, O.
