Michael “Mick” “Mike” “Papa” Charles Ruffner, 72, of Punxsutawney, died just before midnight on Friday, February 27, 2015.
Mike was born July 3, 1942, in Punxsutawney, a son to the late Charles Arnold and Josephine Ann (Gianvito) Ruffner.
He was preceded in death by his wife and soulmate, Patricia Ann (Foradori) Ruffner.
Mike is a 1960 graduate of Saints Cosmas and Damian High School.
After graduation, he began his railroad career as a brakeman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad on the Pittsburgh Division.
Upon returning home from serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, A Btry, 4th-92nd/SGT, he became a conductor on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and CSX Railroad. Mike worked diligently and became a representative for the United Transportation Union, helping many of his co-workers as well as other railroad employees negotiate the pains of economic injustice in times of turmoil.
Mike was a devoted member of Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for years.
He was also a member of a number of organizations such as the American Legion, Rossiter; Rossiter Veterans Club; Fraternal Order of Eagles, Punxsutawney; Loyal Order of Moose, Punxsutawney; and was a life member of the Elks in Kane, Pa., where he lived as a younger man working on the railroad and often talked about with fond memories, but he was entrenched in the Lions Club, where he served as vice president and president of the Punxsutawney chapter and region chairman of District 14-J, winning numerous awards for his dedication. Mike genuinely enjoyed being able to devote his time to helping people in need.
He also enjoyed spirited debates and Russian literature.
Mike is survived by a son, Michael Charles Ruffner of Marathon Key, Florida; two daughters, Dulcey Ann Ruffner of Punxsutawney and Courtney Judith Ruffner Grieneisen of Bradenton, Florida; a grandson, Valentino “Tio” Grieneisen of Bradenton, Florida; a brother, Charles Daniel Ruffner of Cherry Tree, Pa.; a sister, Kathleen Anne Heaps of Charlotte, North Carolina; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends who he cherished.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at Deeley Funeral Home in Punxsutawney.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church in Punxsutawney, with Monsignor Joseph Riccardo officiating.
Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Punxsutawney Lions Club, 199 Rock Run Rd., Punxsutawney, PA 15767.
To send online condolences, visit www.deeleyfuneralhome.com
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
