Obituary of Richard R. Ruyack, Sr.

On Monday, May 4th, the world lost a loving family man, upstanding community leader, and outstanding human being, Mr. Richard R. Ruyack Sr. He departed in peace as a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, surrounded by loved ones in his home of 57 years.

Richard was born to Peter and Ethel Ruyack in Yonkers, New York, on June 2^nd, 1941. His childhood was filled with adventures, like successfully sledding beneath a moving 3-axel truck, and appearing on TV to talk about his favorite kissing gourami fish, helpfully clarifying: “Sometimes they kiss and sometimes they just peck.”

Later he attended Yonkers High School, where he presided over the American Red Cross club, played shortstop on the baseball team, sang doo-wop, and met the love of his life, Sally Cesta. After graduating, he worked as a payroll clerk at the Phelps Dodge cable company before becoming a United States postal officer, and eventually lieutenant of the Yonkers Fire Department.

Throughout his life he developed an appreciation for, and mastery of, golf, carpentry, and coin collecting. He loved to travel, splitting time between his three residencies along the eastern seaboard and visiting an ever-expanding empire of friends and family. He also loved running, camping, watching the Yankees, throwing parties, and singing loudly in church. Richard was a proud member of the Peekskill group of Alcoholics Anonymous, and a charter member of the Holy Spirit branch of the Knights of Columbus—he will be buried in his uniform. He was a very worthy knight.

Rich will now join his son Raymond Ruyack, his parents, Peter and Ethel Ruyack, and his siblings, Peter John Ruyack, Jack Ruyack, and Ethel Mae Ruyack, in the sweet hereafter.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sally Ruyack, his siblings, Edward Ruyack and Patti Meisels, his children, Richard Ruyack, Robert Ruyack, Ronda Kwietniak, and Regina Peters, their partners, his ten grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and innumerable friends. His absence will be felt around the world. He will be terribly missed.

Richard Ruyack will be laid to rest this Saturday at the Assumption Cemetery in Cortlandt, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and/or your local food pantry. However, the best way to honor his passing is simply doing the next right thing.

In light of the recent worldwide occurrences dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19, the family of Richard R. Ruyack, Sr. would like to have his Hours of Visitation reserved for immediate Family. Family and  Friends are encouraged to attend burial services.