Raymond Ruff of Medicine Hat, Alberta, beloved husband of Bernie, and father to Cyndi, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the age of 83 years.

Ray was born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta and was the eldest of three boys. He grew up working in the family business, Bill’s Automotive on Kingsway, with his dad Bill and his brother Vern. Bernie and Marlene rounded out the business when they took over from Bill. Ray was a journeyman mechanic trained at SAIT and could fix anything. His passion for mechanics, machines and anything that required gas power was life long. He was forever reading, putzing, listening, occasionally racing and figuring out how things worked. In addition to being a mechanic, he also earned his pilots licence and flew a little Cessna plane for fun. After selling the family business, Ray worked in the automotive program at the Medicine Hat College. However, his passion for cars outlived his retirement and he could be found with the local car guys drinking coffee at Lane’s and Friday Night Cruising. At the end of his career, he could no longer ‘do’ but the boys with the cars were delighted by his encyclopaedic knowledge of mechanics. He would tell them how to master their ride. His wife Bernie was always by his side, she learned early on if she wanted to spend time with Ray, she would need to learn the wrenches and be his co-pilot. What a great team they were, two peas in a pod, married for more than 63 years.

Ray was one of a kind. He loved his family and his cars, and the loss of his son Rob in 1983 broke his heart, but not his spirit. Ray battled against Type 1 Diabetes for 33 years and at the age of 65 received a kidney transplant. He was able to wrangle seventeen great years out of the transplant, with the love of his family and under the care of Bernie. We are grateful every day to the donor family for giving us this extra time with Ray.

Ray was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Louise Ruff; his son, Rob and his brother Vern. He is survived by so many, his wife, Bernie; his daughter, Cyndi; his brother, Bob (Lyndell) Ruff and sister-in-law, Marlene Ruff. He was equally important to Bernie’s family, brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law, Sandra and Greg Campbell, Wendell Wilks, and Darryl and Susanne Wilks. Uncle Ray equally tormented and cherished many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews who will miss his ‘ho-ho-ho’ nonsense, teasing and humor.

A come and go Celebration of Life will be held at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Washed and shiny cars are appreciated, Classic Cars are adored. A private family interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery.

Those who wish to remember Ray may do so with a donation to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation or the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Please sign your donor card. To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.

• Date : 2024-10-06
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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