Emil P. Ruffalo

Emil P. Ruffalo, age 84, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Ascension All Saints Hospital. Emil was born in Wautoma, WI, February 19, 1933, the youngest of seventeen children to the late Salvatore and Teresa (Nee: Infusino) Ruffalo.

Emil was a graduate of Washington Park High School “Class of 1950”. He proudly served in the United States Army. On July 27, 1957 at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church he was united in marriage to Julie Praeger. Emil owned and operated Advance Mechanical Contracting, retiring in 2006. He was a charter and active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church serving on the parish council and building committee. He also was an active member of Roma Lodge and an avid bocce player. He also was a Rotarian for many years. Emil served as member and past president of the Wisconsin and Illinois Mechanical Contractors Association. Emil’s pastimes included dining, dancing, attending plays, traveling worldwide, and time spent at his Fort Meyers Beach and Browns Lake condos. More than anything he was devoted to and treasured time spent with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, especially Monday night pasta with the family.

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Julie; his children, David (Bridget) Ruffalo, Ann Marie (Jill) Ruffalo, Jane Ruffalo, John Ruffalo; his grandchildren, Ryan (Krystal) Sorenson, Sabrina Ruffalo, Anthony Ruffalo, Corey (Krista) Larrabee, Rev. Steven (Denae) Larrabee; his great-grandchildren, Maebelle, Rocky, and Bo Sorenson, Christopher and Zachary Larrabee; brother, William (Rose) Ruffalo, Rose Biagoni; the lakeside gang, Mario, Artie, Frank and Happy; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by fourteen siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 8, 2017, 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, with Rev. Terry J. Huebner officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Sunday at the funeral home from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. (Roma Lodge Service at 5:00 P.M.) and Monday at church from 10:00 A.M. until time of Mass at 10:30 A.M. Memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church have been suggested.