Edward S. Ruff

Ed Steelman Ruff was born March 12, 1927 in Atlantic City, NJ and was raised on the New Jersey shore as well as in the City of Philadelphia. He was the youngest of three brothers, all raised by their loving mother, Nora McGill Ruff. Ed attended Olney High School in Philadelphia but decided to leave school early at the young age of 17 to serve his country as a member of the United States Navy. Ed served in the Pacific Theater of World War II from 1945 until his Honorable Discharge in 1946.





Following his service in the Navy, he earned his GED and continued his education at Temple University and Penn State University, earning his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Wood Technology in 1950. Following graduation, Ed began his long and fruitful professional career with Western Electric, a division of AT&T.





Being raised by the ocean on the New Jersey shore, Ed loved the ocean and it was only fitting that he would eventually meet the love of his life one sunny day on the boardwalk of Belmar, NJ. On July 29, 1951, Ed met Monica M. Brisson whom he would marry just over one year later on November 8, 1952.





Together, they would spend the next 58 years as husband and wife living in places throughout the United States such as Lufkin, TX, Jackson, MS, Reading, MA and most recently in Tewksbury, MA. If one of these places could truly be called home, it would be Reading where they had resided for 44 years. It was also Reading where his 8 children had grown from babies to children to young men and women and where Ed had played an integral part of that growing process.





If there is one phrase that comes to mind when thinking of Ed, it was that he was the "family man". Whether it was a football or baseball game, a wrestling match, a dance recital, a play, a gymnastics meet, whatever events his children were part of, Ed was there. He also made sure that we had fun as a family with activities such as boating and waterskiing in the summer and downhill skiing in the winter. As an adolescent, it can be easy to take these things for granted. As we grow older and have children of our own, we can begin to realize how difficult those sacrifices must have been in order to remain so close and so integral to the upbringing of his children. He is nothing short of a true inspiration.





Ed retired from AT&T in 1987 after 35 years of service as a Quality Control Engineer. In his retirement, Ed continued to enjoy skiing and boating and even continued his public service as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He and his wife Monica enjoyed traveling extensively including various locations in Europe, South America, New Zealand, and most recently in Alaska. However, no matter what beautiful locations they had visited, they always found that being at home together was the most comforting of places.





Throughout the years, Ed, Monica and their family were devout Christians and long term members of both St. Athanasius Church and St. Agnes Church in Reading where Ed proudly served for several years as a Lay Minister. Ed embraced the teachings of the Catholic Church and maintained a close and personal relationship with God. He was truly grateful to be a member of His community and continued to encourage the faith of others throughout his entire life.





Ed is the beloved husband of Monica M. (Brisson) Ruff. He was the devoted father of Frank Ruff of Orlando, FL, Daniel T. Ruff and his wife Susan of Wilmington, Noreen Ruff and her partner Nancy Pringle of Ithaca, NY, Michelle Traverse and her husband Christopher of Medford, Patrice E. Ruff-Burbine and her husband Skip of Londonderry, NH, James W. Ruff and his wife Sharon of Wilmington, Tom Ruff and his wife Melissa of Hopkinton and the late Paul M. Ruff. Ed was the cherished grandfather of 14. Dear brother of the late U. Gilbert Ruff, and Thomas Ruff. He was the brother in law of Anne Ruff of NJ. Ed was also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.





Funeral from the Doherty - Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING Thursday at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass celebrating Edward's Eternal Life in St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Wednesday from 3-7pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants will be available. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Charles Lawn Memorial Park, Reading.





Please honor Edward by making donations in his memory to DAV Memorial Program P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.