Patrick Ruiz, 80, a native of New York and a longtime resident of Old Bridge, N.J., and Lancaster, S.C., died March 3, 2008 in Bay Minette after a long illness.
He was born Nov. 22, 1927 to Charles and Anna Ruiz. He was orphaned at the age of 3 and grew up in a Catholic orphanage and a series of foster homes in and around New York.
His first job was at age 12 as a milkman’s helper, working from 4 to 6 a.m. At age 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served in the Pacific theater during World War II. Following the war, while working days, he completed high school at George Washington Evening High School in New York.
He worked for many years in New York’s garment district where he was employed in the textile industry by Lowenstein Brothers and later by Springs Mills, where he rose to the position of Credit Manager, before his retirement from the Credit Department at Springs Industries Customer Service Center in Rock Hill, S.C., in 1994.
He and his wife Ginny were active members of Simpson United Methodist Church of Old Bridge, NJ from 1960 until 1980, and of First United Methodist Church of Lancaster, SC from 1980 until their relocation to Mobile in 2004.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Timothy Iliff and Darlene Sprinkles, CRNP, the hard working and devoted staff of William F. Green State Veteran’s Home, Covenant Hospice, and J.M. Snook Regional Center, and Lavon Henley, for their kindness and care.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Alice Virginia “Ginny” Henderson Ruiz; son, Laurence Patrick Ruiz of Columbia, S.C.; daughter, Nancy Ruiz Brady of Mobile; three grandchildren, Patrick, Nicholas and Rebecca Brady, all of Mobile.
He was a proud and loving father and grandfather, and a devoted caregiver to his wife Ginny for over a decade of her struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. with a memorial service at noon Friday, April 11 at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church in Mobile.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Father Flanagan’s Boys Town, P.O. Box 6000, Memorials, Boys Town, NE 68010; Simpson United Methodist Church, 2095 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ 08857; First United Methodist Church, 200 W Gay St., Lancaster, SC 29721; Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, 1507 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604; The William F. Green State Veteran’s Home, Activities Department, 300 Faulkner Dr., Bay Minette, AL 36507; or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Daphne.
