Benjamin A. Ruf

Benjamin A. Ruf passed from this life into eternal life with his Savior on April 10, 2015.

Ben was born in Beacon, N.Y. in June 1925, son of the late Benjamin Otto and Mary Ferrone Ruf. He has called East Bradford home since 1981.

A veteran of WWII, he flew his missions in B24s out of Foggia, Italy, returning to the U.S. prior to the end of the war. He then completed his B.S. degree at Syracuse University. Ben met and married his best friend, Susan Rush Toland, in Seattle in 1956. He credits his beautiful wife for his long life.  She was a devoted partner in their 60 happy years of marriage. 

He joined Container Corp. of America, serving in sales and general management positions in Seattle, Santa Clara, and St. Louis in the Folding Carton Division.  He retired as National Sales Manager of the Can Group after 35 years of service. He returned to West Chester, PA and built his home in East Bradford. 

A marathon runner, he completed seven marathons, including the original marathon in Greece with his daughter Mary. He was a charter member of Radley Run Country Club for over 20 years and has left many of his Titleist golf balls throughout the course  and in the surrounding lakes, which he is certain has raised the water level substantially. 

A daily communicant at St. Agnes Church in West Chester, he was the volunteer landscaper at St. Agnes from 1985 until 2007, when he turned his duties over to his wife.

Ben’s greatest pleasure was time spent with his children and grandchildren Their annual vacation to Fenwick Island with the whole tribe was his and Susan’s, greatest joy.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susan Rush Toland, their children Benjamin Anthony Ruf Jr (Linda), Mary Elizabeth (Greg Radford), Teresa Ann (Bryan Lipinski), Susanna Marie (Walt Twetten), and David Andrew Ruf (Alice) and 26 grandchildren, each of whom he was very proud of and loved dearly. 

Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral mass 11am Wednesday, April 15,2015 at St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St. West Chester PA 19380. 

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm with the Rosary beginning  at 5:30 pm on April 14, 2015  at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home Inc., 410 North Church Street. West Chester 610.696.1181; www.DellaFH.com. 

Interment St Agnes Cemetery. West Chester, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services  P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD 21297-0303 

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