James F. Ruffalo (1940-2015)

James F. Ruffalo, age 74 died Sunday November 15^th 2015 at United Hospital Systems Kenosha Medical Center while surrounded by his entire family.

James was born in Kenosha on November 25, 1940 to the late Frank and Wanda (Jozwiak) Ruffalo. He was a lifelong resident of Kenosha and educated in the schools of Kenosha. James was a graduate of UW-Parkside. On June 1, 1963 he married Rosemary Ziccarelli at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He was a former member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and a current member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. James served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was employed at AMC for nine years and was a postal carrier for almost ten years.  He was a lifetime member of the PLAV Post 34.

Jim’s greatest joy was spending time with the love of his life, his children and their spouses, his beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He loved deer hunting, fishing and camping.  He enjoyed reading, word search puzzles, playing cards and dice games.  He was a huge fan of John Wayne.  He loved all his movies, enjoyed watching TV, especially Antique Roadshow and PBS.  He was a fantastic dancer, loved to Polka with his Mom, and Jitterbug with his wife.  Jim’s favorite time of year was winter and Christmas was his favorite holiday.  He loved decorating the house inside and out, snow blowing up and down the block, always wanting to help his neighbors.  Thank you my sweetheart for all the beautiful memories you have given us.  God bless you and keep you safe in his loving arms.

James is survived by his wife, son Josef (Chandra) Ruffalo of Kenosha and daughters Genna (Christopher) Stiefel of California, Joelle (Jeffrey) Wroblewski of Kenosha and Jimaleen (Jeff Lowry) DeLabio of Kenosha. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren Nancy (William Anderson) Stiefel, Lauren (Brian) Pillizzi, Jackie Stiefel, Jeremy DeLabio, Joshua (Shadana) Stiefel, Alexander Ruffalo, Kyle Wroblewski, Zachary Ruffalo, Hayden Ruffalo, Amanda Wroblewski and Destiny Ruffalo and two great grandchildren Cheyenne and Marshall. James is further survived by one sister Donna Dietman and former son-in-law Ronald DeLabio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday November 20^th 2015 at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Kenosha. (1919-54th Street) Visitation with the family will be on Thursday evening at the Kemper Center Founders Hall from 5:00PM until 7:00PM. (6501-3^rd Avenue) Burial will take place at a later date at St. James Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated.