Obituary of Albert Louis Ruiz Jr.

In loving memory of Albert L. Ruiz, Jr.

Al a devoted family member, community leader, and passionate builder, peacefully passed away on February 4th, 2024 leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Al was a New York native, born December 4, 1932 in Schenectady, NY. He grew up in Scotia, NY and played trombone in his high school band. He formed his own dance band, was a member of the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra and was President of the Schenectady Youth Orchestra.

In 1954 he received his B.S. degree from Northwestern University majoring in experimental psychology with a minor in mathematics. While in his junior year he married Kathleen (Kitty) Lansing, his high school sweetheart. They created a family together - had four daughters, Connie, Karen (deceased), Evelyn, and Marlene, 6 granddaughters, Angela (deceased), Tiffany, Katherine, Christine, Emily, and Courtney, two great-granddaughters, Kaylee and Mary Jane, and two great-grandsons, Hunter and Connor. As a devoted spouse, parent, grandparent, and cherished family member, he created a haven of love and support. His guidance, wisdom, and unwavering love became the compass that steered the family through life's journey.

Al served 2 years in the Army as a Scientific and Professional at Ft. Huachuca, AZ where he worked as a human engineer on the testing and development of communications systems.

In 1956, Al joined IBM as systems engineer in the Riverside CA branch office. Most of his 35-year career was spent marketing, teaching, and developing applications for the public utility industry. He retired in 1991 as a project manager for international marketing education.

Al was handy with tools and enjoyed making furniture, decks, and remodeling. One of his greatest achievements was the log cabin he lovingly crafted on the serene shores of Lake Placid. This rustic haven became a symbol of his resilience and dedication to creating spaces filled with warmth and laughter. Camp Timberlake, established by the Mayor, Big Al himself, served his family for 27 years. His family thanks him for the unforgettable memories made together on the lake.

He was also an avid sightseer and enjoyed more than 20 cruises and land tours of the U.S., Scandinavia, Spain, England, Austria, Israel, Italy, and the Mediterranean to name a few.

In his retirement years, Al embraced the sunny days and warm breezes of Florida, and moved to The Villages where he continued a love for golf, managed a weekly billiards group and was a member of the Magic Club. The fairways became his second home, and the friendships forged on the greens added another dimension to his rich tapestry of life. After moving to The Villages from CT in 2004 his wife of 54 years passed away. In 2009 he married Patricia Tomallo. They were

active members of the 2nd Honeymoon Club, served as greeters for the Celtic Club and were lifestyle volunteers for a weekly social bridge group.

May Al’s soul find eternal peace, and may we carry forward the lessons of love, strength, and community that he so gracefully bestowed upon us. In our memories, he lives on, a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the enduring power of a life well-loved.

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