Anthony Henry Ruffino Jr.

Anthony was born on April 12, 1962, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, to Anthony Sr. and Doris Ruffino. He was baptized at Annunciation Catholic Church and completed the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy First Communion, and Confirmation at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Anthony participated in youth sports at Oaks Dad’s Club. Though Anthony grew up in the city, he found solace in nature from an early age. The oldest of twenty-seven grandchildren and fifty-two great-grandchildren, Anthony was the most connected to his family and friends when camping, hunting, and fishing.

After graduating from S.P. Waltrip in 1980, Anthony earned his Texas Gulf Coast Journeymen certificate in 1985 and began a career in industrial maintenance. The greatest joy of his life was becoming a father to Chelsea and later, “Papa T” to Maddox and Addison.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Anthony. He loved porch sitting, Daddy’s hummingbirds, storytelling, dancing, and Mama’s cooking. An avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman, Anthony loved his country, friends, and family. He served complete strangers with his time, generosity, and a warm smile.

Anthony is survived by his daughter, Chelsea Ceballos and her husband Marcus; grandchildren, Maddox and Addison (of Cypress); parents, Doris and Anthony Sr.; his brothers Steven (Julie) of Houston, Tommy (Kimberly) of Magnolia, Damian (Angee) of Cypress; sister, Darcy of Houston, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; nieces, nephews, and three great-nephews.

Anthony was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Margaret and Benedict Stockert; paternal grandparents, Josephine and Henry Ruffino; and cousins, Donna Stockert, Michelle Kelley, and Troy Hoffart.

Anthony was a generous man with a gruff voice but a heart full of kindness. He will be missed beyond measure.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel of Pat H. Foley Funeral Home, 1200 W. 34th St., Houston, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 11 a.m., at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum Rd., Houston, Texas, with Fr. Hieu Nguyen presiding. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Plantersville, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pathfoleyfuneraldirectors.com for the Ruffino family.