Luke Ruffino

On Sunday, August 22, 2010, Luke Ruffino passed away peacefully at home in Bryan, Texas, surrounded by his loving family and friends. The funeral is under the direction of Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan with Monsignor John Malinowski officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral chapel from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, August 24, with the rosary being recited at 6 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church at 11:00 am, Wednesday, August 25, with entombment to follow at Msgr. Gleissgner Mausoleum in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Luke was born on November 24, 1923 to Rena and Joe Ruffino in Bryan. After attending local schools, he joined the United States Army in 1943 and served in WWII and the Korean War.

Before joining the service he married the love of his life, Josephine Lampo, in 1942, and they were stationed in Kentucky and Colorado before he was deployed overseas.

After serving and being honorably discharged, Luke came home to Bryan and Jobey, and they opened Luke’s Grocery and Market where they were later joined by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Johnny and Bonnie Lampo. Following many years in the grocery business, Luke joined Johnny in the Pizza Hut Enterprises. At the time of their retirement from Pizza Hut, Luke and Johnny had shared 35 years of successful business partnership. Work, religion and family were the mainstays of Luke’s life. He was a lifetime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and a member of the Men’s Club, the Holy Name Society, the Saint Leo Luke Society, and the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Helen Ruffino, and his nephew, Donnie Joe “DJ” Ruffino.

He is survived by his children, Theresa Anne Ruffino Connaughton, Joe Johnny “JJ” and Cherry Ruffino, and Rosemary Ruffino and Marit Tenfjord. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Toni Ruffino, Luke and Katie Ruffino, Joey Ruffino, Patrick and Whitney Connaughton, and Kathryn Rose Ruffino Tenfjord, and his great-grandchildren, Madelyn Paige Ruffino, Isabella Marie Ruffino, and Kate Josephine Connaughton. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

The family gives special thanks to his personal caregivers, Rita Rodriguez, Vicki DeSantiago, Mary Tarver, Katherine Browder, Sandra Goodin, and Chiquita Griffin. These dedicated individuals filled Luke’s last years with love, compassion, comfort and care. The family also recognizes the services of hospice and Tommy Sue Powers for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church.