William "Bill" Rufo's Obituary
William “Bill” Rufo, age 73, of Lorain, passed away at his home after a lengthy illness, with his loving family by his side, on Monday, June 21, 2021. He was under the care of Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, Lorain.
Bill was born on November 25, 1947 in Chicago, IL, but lived his entire life in Lorain. He was a 1967 graduate of Admiral King High School. After high school, he attended Kent State University with his studies focusing on Health & Physical Sciences, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health & Education. After graduating college, Bill began his career at Lorain County Community College where he taught health and fitness classes. He then went on to work for Lorain City Schools, where he was a substitute teacher, as well as coaching the girls’ basketball and track teams. Bill’s passion was being able to work with and encouraging the youth. He was a tremendous advocate for the students of Lorain city, always wanting to see them succeed and helping them to do so any way he could. Many times, he would even be known to pick up kids who needed a ride to take them wherever they needed to go. He finally retired from Lorain city schools in 2011.
William is a devoted member of Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain. He is also a member, and past President, of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame as well as a trustee for the American Cancer Society for many years. He was an avid NASCAR and Indy car fan, where he was a flagger for many popular races at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Bill loved to stay active and was quite adventurous. And, of course, he took pride in his motorcycle, “Big Red.” He loved it best when his beloved wife was by his side. They loved going for walks and riding their bikes together in the Metro Parks. One of their favorite and memorable trips was when they went bicycling together through the entire state of Vermont. And when he wasn’t biking, you’d find him going for a run. Bill was also a devoted Cleveland sports fan, even working on the security team for the Cleveland Browns.
William leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 34 years, Esther Montes Rufo, his son, Peter (Samantha) Rufo, of Chicago, IL, his 2 beautiful granddaughters, Mackenzie & Emma, and his sister, Marilyn (Ruben) Lopez, of Lorain. He is also survived by many family and friends whom he loved so very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter & Kathleen (nee Dyra) Rufo.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 28, 2021 from 8:30 am until the time of his funeral Mass at 9:30 am, at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Fr. William Thaden, Pastor, will officiate. The Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send an online condolence, please go to www.dovinreberjones.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family urges that donations, in his memory, be made to a charity that was important to him. They can be made to either: The American Cancer Society, 10501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, or to the American Stroke Foundation, 6405 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 214, Overland Park, KS 66202, or to the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame, PO Box 723, Lorain, OH 44052.
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