William J. Ruffini

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 WWII. He enlisted in the Army in Oct. 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 Association. William worked for HK Porter in Uhrichsville, Ohio 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 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, MI, David L. (wife, Claudia) Ruffini of Pickerington, OH; one daughter, Crystal Quicksall of New Philadelphia; six grandchildren, Shannon (husband, Jeff) Pennington of Canton, MI, Timothy Ruffini of Savannah, Georgia, Marcie (husband, Troy) Herzig of Canal Winchester, OH, Ryan Quicksall of Columbus, OH, Aaron and Lindsey Ruffini both
of Pickerington; three great Grandchildren, Alyssa and Ava Herzig both of Canal Winchester and William Pennington of Canton, MI; 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 am 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 4:00-7:00pm. A Christian Wake service will take place on Sunday at 6:45 pm.

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 website.

The family suggests that monetary donations be made in Williams name to the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, at 2143 Prysi Rd. NW, Sugarcreek, Ohio.