Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, John B. Ruffing passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 95. He was born on April 13, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Though he spent most of his life in Maine, he made Fayetteville, Tennessee, his home following the birth of his granddaughter.
John lived a life dedicated to caring for and serving others. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he initially studied for the Catholic priesthood before life led him in a different direction, though his heart for service never wavered. For many years, John worked as a Rehabilitation Specialist supporting injured veterans and later founded his own company to continue providing that care. He also offered counseling to those experiencing grief and loss for more than 50 years, always finding joy in connecting with people.
Even into his 80s, John volunteered with the American Red Cross, deploying to disaster areas across the country. His commitment to helping others extended globally through his involvement with international exchange programs for students and teachers. He and his family hosted many guests from around the world, building lifelong friendships. John loved to travel throughout the U.S. and Europe, cherishing every opportunity to learn from others and share in their lives.
In his later years, John enjoyed retirement in Tennessee, spending time outdoors and tending cattle on the family farm. Above all, the light of his life was his granddaughter, and he treasured every moment with his family.
John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marcia Hasenjager Ruffing; son, Curt Ruffing and wife Salina; granddaughter, Cara Ruffing; brother, Gilbert (Debbie) Ruffing; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Catherine Boyle Ruffing; siblings, Betty (Richard) DePaul, Leo (Teresa) Ruffing, James (Jeanette) Ruffing, Donald (Sibyl) Ruffing, Alice (Pete) Petrulo, Lois (Joe) Miller, and Lawrence (Ruth) Ruffing; and brothers-in-law, John Hasenjager and Bill Hasenjager.
A graveside service will be held at 11 AM at Tully Cemetery in Tully, NY on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. There will be no visitation prior to the service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish America Gift Processing,1702 East Highland Avenue, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or St. Agnes’ Church, P.O. Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John B. Ruffing.
Rest in Peace my dear Mentor, you embraced me when no one in my life did. You gave me many things to remember, the fun time was when Marcia and You taught me how to ski in Maine.
I honestly have never forgotten all the wonderful things you and your beloved Marcia did for me to move me forward in my life. You will always be remembered here on this earth but we will always look forward to joining you in God’s Glory. Until we meet again
I always enjoyed seeing uncle Jack and Aunt Marsha. Always loving, big smiles and great stories. Thank you.
The things I will always cherish about my Uncle Jack ack are these. He always had fun, no matter what he was doing. You could tell he enjoyed everything in life immensely and made things fun for others. His enthusiasm was contagious. He loved to tell stories and elaborated in a grandiose way, making them all the more fascinating for the listener. It was fun to watch his expressive face while he was relating some tale, making it bigger than life. He was a joiner and an inviter, practically our own Ruffing version of Bob Barker saying “Come on down!” When my time comes, I look forward to seeing him “holding court” in heaven with all of his siblings. In the meantime, we here on Earth will truly miss his indominable spirit.
I was privileged to know this gentleman. His delight in life and all that surrounded him was evident in his personality. He was not concerned about your status, but as a person only. He loved to tell tales of where he had been and what he had seen, and I enjoyed sharing them with him. He and Marcia took me to Church on Sundays, and the ride with them was extraordinary. also enjoyed their company in my home for a cup of coffee and perhaps a muffin. He did love coffee. My memories will always be vivid . God opened his gates for him. He had accomplished so much in life. John, thanks for being there for me.