John Ruckdeschel Obituary

Dad,
Today is your birthday. Yesterday was Easter. Miss you everyday, but so much more during holidays. You were all about the holidays. We are all doing our best to take care of mom. Love and miss you very much.
Happy Birthday Dad!!! I love you.
Pam

dad,
thinking of you today, especially since it is your birth date.i am keeping my promise not only to honor you, but to honor mom.

you are missed, no way can any of us replace your presnce esp for mom. but we are there for her and she is great. very committed to you on all levels, missing you painfully. but she has a bit of you in all of us.
love,
cheri

Dad

Mansle and I just got back from Myrtle Beach after meeting Mom and Cheri' for your 1st anniversary in heaven. You always loved the beach and as you know we threw flowers in your honor into the ocean. I know you were with us later when Cheri's (especially) Mom and I got into an unbelievable laughing fit. A couple of people actually came up to Cheri' and wanted to know what she had taken because they wanted some. Of course, more laughter. I miss you Dad. Your laughter is contagious.

Love Karen

Dad,
It's hard to believe that it has been a year already since you left this world. We all still miss you so much. I think of you every single day. I love you dad
Love "your baby girl" Pam

merry christmas dad. you are truly missed as this was your holiday.
love,
cheri

Hi Dad,

As you know yesterday was a hard day. I even picked up the telephone to call you. I know this sounds hokey, but the song "Butterfly Kisses" was playing on the radio. This was kind of tough.

Manse and I saw a bird book that we both knew you would love. It had about 100 birds and you put the number bird it was (like a child's book) and the sound that it made was almost as if the bird was there.

I have a funny story for you. We have our second blue bird's nest in our bird house. Well, Mansle was mowing the lawn and we had not seen the parent's for a couple of days (it was really hot and they usually leave then). Mansle looked into the nest and there were a couple of baby birds that could barely lift us their heads. Manse came into find me and we were trying to think who to call to find out what to do. Well a couple of hours later Manse checked again to see if they were still alive and lo and behold there was Mama and ready to fight. Well we're relieved anyway.

Dad I miss you so much. I still can't believe you're gone from this earth. I am very happy for you that you are in heaven, but wish I could get over you being gone. I know only time will help.

I love you Daddy.

Happy Father's Day

Karen

It has been a hard day to get through, but it's almost over. I miss you everyday, but today is especially difficult because it's Father's Day. I love you very much and just want to say, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
Love
Pam

Hi Dad,

For some reason you have been popping into my head for the past two days; more than usual. Its like you want to tell me something, but this thick head can't think of what you want. In fact, as you know, I was welling back tears in Mass last night. I guess I'm asking you to press forward more. I'll get it somehow. You know I love and miss you so much. I saw a book at Barnes & Noble yesterday "Birds for the Backyard Bird Watcher." I could only think of you. I don't know whether I told you or not, but your favorite birds are in their bird house in the front yard. Mansle went out to mow the lawn yesterday and the Daddy bird came back with some food and Mansle came in and said they must have had a 1,000 babies this year, they are making so much noise. But, I know that you are watching and enjoying them.

I'll talk to you later.

I love you

Karen

Dad,

As usual I was the last to find out about this guestbook. I have always been "Tommy come lately" or better known as the "Time Grub".

We're doing everything we can to be sure Mom is being taken care of. I'm glad I got to share my love for you and wish others to know it as well. I miss you very much. Here is a copy of my tribute to you on Father's Day 2006.


My Dad




My Dad is part of the past generation
He was raised during the Depression when people still ate although there were no jobs.
His Dad knew he had to provide for his family, no matter what.
His family never knew there was a Depression
They had food, shelter and clothing
Although today you wouldn’t get caught dead in that clothing
But they wore it, because it was all they knew

This generation knew that if you needed something you had to work for it.
If there was a job, it was a job that put food on the table
It may not be glamorous, but it paid the rent
You got up early
You worked all day
Came home to a home cooked meal
It may not look like a feast by today’s standards,
But, it was home, it was hot and it was food

You went to school to get away from the chores you had at home
To better yourself
To see the guys from the neighborhood

The neighborhood,
That was your life
Everyone knew everyone’s business
The laundry was hanging outside on the clothesline for all to see
You had nothing to hide because you had nothing that everyone else didn’t have
You went to school in your neighborhood,
You went to church in the neighborhood
You played ball in the neighborhood
You communed with the neighborhood
You developed relationships with the neighbors
You helped your neighbor when there was a need
No one asked, you just knew

The big War came to the neighborhood
When the kids in the neighborhood were finishing high school
Uncle Sam wanted them
Uncle Sam got them,
It was their duty
Because they needed to defend their neighborhood
Their country
Their families
Their lives

Uncle Sam asked, but he really didn’t need to
Like helping your neighbor
They just knew what they had to do

They have been called the greatest Generation
Not because Tom Brokaw labeled them.
They were not like the “Me “ Generation or Generation X
They were the Greatest Generation
They stepped up when they were needed
They sacrificed for the good of their country
The defense of their neighborhood
They didn’t demand that Congress do something about Gas Rationing or Food Rationing
They did it because it was necessary for the good of the country

The women went to work in the factories, schools and hospitals
While the men were away at war
The men left their homes & families for years
They weren’t called murderers
They were called heroes
They were fighting for freedom
They placed their life on the line to make the world a better place for future
Better Generations
They wanted their children to live better
Fight the Big One so that their children can live in Peace & Prosperity

This generation
My Dad’s generation banded together with a common cause to defeat evil & repression
With this common cause, they triumphed
They were champions of freedom to end the tyranny and imperialism that was spreading throughout the world
They did it by doing what needed to be done,
No assignment was too petty
No task too small or mundane
It just needed to be done to achieve the common goal
Preserve freedom
They succeeded
And our generation benefited greatly

They came home to a hero’s welcome!
The GI Bill propelled them into jobs or careers that they may never have dreamed about.
They married their sweethearts that waited faithfully
While they laid their lives on the line
They entered their married lives with the same passion and dedication that they devoted to their country
Once in marriage, while there may have been doubts, second thoughts, they knew what they needed to do
They made vows and cherished the opportunity to make the best of what they had and to live up to these vows
They knew who God was and loved him
They thanked him for all of their blessings
Life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness

The road was not always paved with gold
But with their sense of purpose, their dedication, their responsibility, they kept moving forward

The baby boom sprung from this generation
They were away for a long time
They had jobs, homes, food, & family
No signs of the Depression
They were rebuilding the neighborhoods they left behind in their youth
They were making life better for the next generation
They were living life to the fullest
They understood what it was like to have nothing
They knew how precious life really is
They faced death
They saw death
They lived with death
But you would never know it
They didn’t show it

Try talking to a veteran of the Greatest Generation
They don’t talk about it unless you drag it out of them
They faced horrors we can only imagine,
So that we wouldn’t have to live through them ourselves
They lived through it and survived
Wow

They moved forward to build upon the greatest country that ever existed
They did it too
They understood the neighborhood
They understood God, duty & honor
They understood self-determination!
Make it happen
Don’t wait for it to just happen
Ask not what your country can do for you,
Ask what can you do for your country!
That’s the Greatest Generation.

My Dad married his sweet heart, who waited faithfully for him while he defended this great country
They had six children
They always provided food, shelter and clothing
Even when they didn’t know where it was going to come from
They provided for their family
That was their duty
They provided the neighborhood
The greatest neighborhood

They provided the home that welcomed all of our friends
Expected or unexpected
Add another plate to the table
But first, lets say Grace
Lets express our thanks to our God who has provided us with so many blessings
Even when it appeared there weren’t any

He built a wall in the front of our home
I helped him, although I knew nothing of wall building
It was a bonding experience as he taught me how to lay cement block
He taught me how to build
When we were building this wall,
Little did we know,
We couldn’t have known what this wall would really mean

It was a huge project, which of course seemed to take forever
It was cement, it was summer and it was hot!
Where is the yard?
Where is the green grass?

As we grew up
We played ball at “the Tank”
We played “Hide & Seek” and “Kick the Can” in the neighborhood
We hung out on “the wall”
It was the center of the neighborhood

The neighbors complained that allowing the kids to hang out on the wall was asking for trouble
My Dad knew better
He grew up in a neighborhood
His children and their friends were home
They weren’t far if they needed him

There were fights,
There were disagreements
We were kids growing up in the neighborhood
But we weren’t far from home if we needed him

The neighborhood grew up on the wall
Handball
Hopskotch
Jump rope
Playing army to take the wall
Developing friendships, relationships at the wall
Kids from other neighborhoods would occasionally join us at the wall
They were always welcome
If they got out of hand,
The neighborhood stopped it
It was theirs as much as it was ours
They hung out on the wall when were gone
It was the wall.

We were gone in the summers
We traveled
Camping in Lake Welch or traveling North, West, East or South
We got away from it all
If only for a week or two

We went as a family
We developed our neighborhoods while camping
Instead of the wall it was the campfire
Singing corny folk songs or telling ghost stories
It was communal
When it rained we played “bored” games or cards

Slowly my Dad’s family left the nest,
One by one
They had a full nest so it took a while
Twenty years
We always returned,
Whether visiting during holidays
Or meeting at campgrounds in the South
Sometimes returning home to get recharged with the Family buzz
We were always welcomed
We always have food, shelter, clothing & love.

Holidays
My Dad is most excited during holidays
Christmas is when he shops till he drops
I remember when I was in my early to late teens
Shopping until the wee hours of the morning
Lloyds open all night
I remember getting the Christmas tree on Christmas eve
It was a ritual
Not much of a choice left at that point
They were at a good price
The workers wanted to get rid of their trees and get home for Christmas
We would look for the best we could find
It was an eternity, but we would finally find one,
And, of course, the branches that we added to it to make it whole

My Dad added new meaning to trimming the Christmas tree
We drilled holes to add branches
We cut branches to shape it
We worked Christmas Eve building a Christmas tree
It wasn’t always a pretty experience,
But the tree was always beautiful once we were finished
As Uncle Gordy’s Aunt Mary would say every Christmas:
That is the most beautiful Christmas tree ever!
It was a tradition
It was a ritual

Most people would put up a tree ahead of time
And visit other people
We not only put up our tree on Christmas Eve,
Then we would invite friends and neighbors to join us in the Christmas Celebration, on Christmas Eve!
They stayed until the wee hours of the morning

When we, as kids, awoke in the wee hours of the morning,
There was Dad to join us in our Christmas morning rituals
All the little and big children opening up their presents and playing with their loud toys,
Shrieking, screaming and laughing as they opened one present after another, fighting with our siblings whenever possible.
Then pack it up and on to Grandma’s house for the Day!

Birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Memorial Day! They were all always celebrations.
The Fourth of July and Memorial Day were when I saw my Dad,
He was proud of his country
He was patriotic
He gave that to me
I never fought in a war
I was fortunate to not see that horror
He made that possible
My Dad’s patriotism is strong!
I saw it at every parade as the soldiers and veterans marched by
I saw it as the Flag was raised at ball games or military presentations.
I saw it, I see it in his eyes!
He was, he is proud to be an American!
I was, I am proud to be an American!
I was, I am proud that he was my Dad!

My Dad came to my concerts and musicals in high school,
My Dad drove to me to college although he didn’t really want me to go.
My Dad gave me “the talk” on the way, even though he wasn’t sure how, or what I needed to know!
It was his duty!
My Dad understands duty!
My Dad provided a “CARE” package of goodies whenever I returned to school.
My Dad came to Parent’s weekend even though it was a Monsoon!
My Dad came to my Graduation even though he didn’t care for my long hair!
Even though it took five years!
My Dad welcomed me home after college while I searched for a career!
My Dad tried to comfort me, in his own way, when I suffered my first broken heart.
My Dad helped me get home for holidays when I went back to school.
My Dad came to visit me in my first apartment.
My Dad came to my last minute wedding!
My Dad drove 16 hours straight when my son became critically ill.
My Dad joined us in fellowship and prayer when my son passed on.
My Dad drove back and forth to Montreal while my brother was critically ill.
My Dad celebrated the birth of our daughter.
My Dad brought joy & laughter to my daughter when he visited.
My Dad brought the “Big Blue” cooler whenever he visited!
My Dad still gets me a Christmas stocking and an Easter Basket!
My Dad is still a patriot!

I want to thank My Dad for teaching me about duty, honor & country.
I want to thank My Dad for his patriotism.
I want to thank My Dad for the neighborhood.
I want to thank My Dad for the wall!
I want to thank My Dad for my life.
I want to thank My Dad for being my Dad!

Happy Father’s Day
June 18, 2006


Tom

Dad

Yesterday was your 1st birthday in Heaven. I remember the last birthday I spent with you was at our house for Easter. I, of course, forgot the birthday candles. So we put a big red 12" tapered candle in the middle, sang to you and had a good time; another memory. Yesterday I received an e-mail from your future granddaughter-in-law, Sonja. We received a birthday present in your honor, from God. Sonja's sister had a baby girl on your birthday. But, of course, you already know that. I know you are with me all the time. Last week, a Finch flew into my den. I didn't get frightened. I only remembered how much you loved birds. She stayed a couple of hours. Say hello to John, Jason and the rest of our family and friends. You're in a better place, I know.

Happy 1st birthday in Heaven Dad.

Love and Miss You

Karen

dad,

remembering your birthday. you celebrated everything. i miss you. we are taking care of mom, but continue your daily moments with us. have a perfect day.
love,
cheri

dad.
today is your birthday and i find myself thinking more about you today than ever. you celebrated everything. both you and mom made every day a celebration . even flag day was celebrated with acknowledgment. st. patty's, valentines day, easter, christmas , birthdays, memorial day. labor day. i never pass a vet who is selling poppies ever , because of the respect you taught us of the real meaning of the poppie.
i am not dealing well with your loss, but i promise you i will keep my promises we made together and i will be on my best behavior esp. since you can see everything i do now.
our daily talks will continue and i now know you will hear everything i say. i try very hard to listen for your response but forgive me if i dont understand for this kind of listening i am not accustomed too.
please say hello to john and jason . remind my brother how much i miss him still and my nephew and how he is in our lives still today. and of course all our relatives that are with you. i now try to see the importance of living each day to the fullest , but know its a bit hard right now but i will respect you and accomplish that real soon' i hope your life is perfect now'. you were the best. i miss my father, my friend.

love,
your daughter,
cheri

Dad-
Today is your birthday. Happy 1st birthday in heaven. I think of you all of the time. Missing you so much. I love and miss you more than you know.
Love Pam

Karen, Mansel and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. From all the stories you told about your family, I'm certain you will miss your father very much.

Daddy,

My words are inadequate to describe how much I am going to miss you. You were an old fashioned father that disciplined us when we needed it, made sure we went to church, and you enjoyed the winter wonderland (Christmas) as much, if not more, than we did. This is because you were a giver and you taught us, love of family, respect of family, love of God and how to make friends. I can remember when you were coaching John and me when we were in speed skating. You had rigged up this thing that had two metal rollers from some gas station and you would hold the back wheel of the bicycle that you would put on it and then I had to get that bike going fast for one minute. Well, that one minute seemed like an hour. I still can remember my legs feeling like two tooth aches. I also would try to sneak up to bed and pretend to go to sleep after practice so I wouldn't have to go to my dreaded bicycle ride. But, you always caught me. Now I know Daddy why you did that. Not only were my legs stronger, my stamina longer, but you taught me discipline, responsibility for my actions and that working hard pays off.

I'm going to miss you Daddy, but I know that our last talk will always be my treasure. You were our foundation, teacher, disciplinarion and friend.

I love you and will miss you,

Karen
Your first born

Daddy-
words can not express how much we all miss you. When it came time for you to leave this world, we were all overwhelmed with sorrow. I never thought this time would come. " My dad was invincible" I know that you are at peace now daddy and you are no longer suffering. I made you a couple of promises and please know i will stand by them as best as i can. Mom will be fine. We will all take care of her. I love you daddy.

your "baby girl"
Pam

Karen, Joe & Family, We are so sorry to learn of your Dad's passing. We were not aware of it until today. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Love, Terry & Gloria

Pam -

I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I can still remember coming to your house growing up and spending time with your family one summer at the Jersey Shore. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Zoe (Kikatos) Wheeler

Pam and family,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May your memories comfort you at this sad time.

I was a close friend of John Jr. and remember his father Jack very well. I used to run into him in the hallways at ibm in Fiskill in the 70's and we would always chat about how John was doing in Montreal.
He had a large loving family and I'm sure he will be missed by all...as is John.
Sincere sympathy - John Daley

Uncle Jack was my Dad's best friend. I will miss him dearly. He always had the best sense of humor and the best hugs. God bless and keep his family in his tender loving care.
Love, Judy(Reeves) Nicholson

My deepest sympathy to Naomi and family. I worked and coached Little League with Jack. He was a great guy and inspiration to me. He was
a big man with a bigger heart.

Don and Mary,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Sincerely,

God bless you all during this difficult time. Mr. Ruckdeschel was always good to the "gang" growing up on Hudson View Terr. I am sorry for your loss.

pam,
god bless

My sincere condlolences to the Ruckdeschel family. I went to junior and senior high schools with Tom and I remember his Dad as a big man, but always had a smile. Raising kids in the 60's and 70's wasn't the easiest thing to do. We definitely had different ideas then our parents. Remember the good times, my prayers are with your family.

My heartfelt sympathy to Noami and family and Jack's brother Don. I grew up with the Ruckdeschel's and a more lovelier family would be hard to find. I have fond memories and am proud to have known such wonderful people.

My grandpa was one of the best people in my life. Hi my name is Megan and I am Jack's grandaughter. My grandpa was loved by everyone, even when he was cranky. I loved him so much and its really hard because my other grandfather passed away last month so this will be my third funeral by the time I am 13. Anyway, I would like to share a memory. A few months ago, I was assigned a project in school. It was an interview. I immediatley knew that i was going to interview my grandpa. I was actually fascinated by all of his life experiences.All of the things he overcame in his life amazed me. He was a fantastic person and an even better grandpa. I will always love him and miss him.
Megan Gallagher

Jack was one of the best guys I ever knew and worked with. We always had lots of laughs and his parties were always the best. I will never forget Jack. My condolences to the family.

As a member of the Ruckdeschel family I will have my own memories of Uncle Jack. He was a funny, genuine man who everyone loved. He will be missed by his family very much.
Luv, Jess