Antonio Ruiz's Obituary
Antonio Ruiz Sr., affectionately known as Tony, Papa, Mr. Magoo, Pop, Grandpapito, Tio Tony, Bandido and Santo Baron among other things, passed away on Sunday March 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He reached the grand age of 102. Tony was born June 12, 1920, in Granada, Nicaragua to Maria Aviles Ruiz and Ramon Antonio Ruiz. Tony was the last living of 11 brothers and sisters, representing the last of that generation for the Ruiz family, or as he would say “the last of the Mohicans.”
At 7 years old Tony contracted malaria. As was typical at that time, children were believed to be intellectually challenged after having malaria, so Tony never returned to formal schooling. But the world was his classroom and despite the belief he was compromised, he embarked upon a life full of intellectual endeavors and learnings. Anyone who knows Tony, knows that there are very few subjects that Tony could not engage in based on the product of his voracious appetite for knowledge and desire to share. At 10 years old, Tony was known on the streets of his hometown as “10 percent Tony” for his ventures with his brother Ernesto to buy and sell items for profit to help support the family.
In 1939, at the age of 19, Tony sought out fortune and adventure driving a model A Ford from Nicaragua with his mentor Chester Wallace up through the jungles of Central America, through Mexico and into the United States ultimately arriving in San Francisco for the Golden Gate Exposition and World’s Fair. This trip took four months and the duo overcame numerous mechanical issues with the Model A. There were no existing roads for much of the trek. They drove through a labyrinth of forests, crossed streams and in some places needed to dynamite their way to continue. In San Antonio, Texas, Chester Wallace was diagnosed with cancer and shortly passed away. Tony, with a heavy heart, continued to San Francisco. This is where Tony fell in love with the spirit of the city and vowed to return. After he returned to Nicaragua, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the Pan-American highway for the U.S. to protect the Panama Canal. They had heard of this adventurous young man who made his way through the jungle and recruited him to help navigate the best route through its difficult terrain. Through Tony’s travel and work with the Army, he was subsequently hired by the U.S. Embassy to promote the war effort by taking projectors into remote parts of the country to show anti-Nazi videos. Through his work with the U.S. Embassy, in 1945 Tony was rewarded with a U.S. visa and he made his journey back to San Francisco to start a new life.
Tony followed his sister Luz “Lucy” Angelica to San Francisco, and they made plans to bring their siblings and mother over time to San Francisco. All but one of Tony’s siblings eventually settled in San Francisco. During this time, there was a growing well-connected Nicaraguan community in San Francisco. Tony was introduced to a schoolteacher from Nicaragua, Melida “Mela” Lacayo who was a friend with many of the Ruiz family already. Tony’s mother Maria was extremely fond of Mela and heartily approved of the union. Tony and Mela were married in 1948, and subsequently bought a house in Bernal Heights. Their Bernal Heights home became a haven for family and friends from Nicaragua; helping them to get a start in their new country.
The Ruiz family was very connected over this time, building close relationships between cousins, hosting weekly card games with fierce competitions and flowing refreshments. Tony not only helped family and friends come to this country, but also provided support and guidance to countless Latin American friends he met throughout his life, aiding in their journeys to a new life in the Bay Area. Additionally, Tony and Mela became foster parents providing loving care to many children in need of a supportive home.
Tony worked on the factory floor at Acme Paper Box and Federal Envelope for over 25 years. He was a shop steward and member of the union executive board, and passionate about supporting his co-workers in the factory. Tony was particularly proud of his activities in a strike that resulted in health and welfare benefits for him and his coworkers. As his children grew up, he felt he could go back to his early entrepreneurial roots and entered the construction business. He would take calls in the middle of the
factory floor from a pay phone to kick off and start Ruiz Construction, which employed Tony, Mela, and his four children, amongst others. Many houses across the Peninsula, Russian River, and Half Moon Bay were constructed under the direction of Ruiz Construction. Tony was particularly proud of his company’s innovative building on incredibly steep inclines which was new during this time.
Tony enjoyed travel, being with his family and made friends everywhere he went. He traveled to Spain and Italy with his sister Nelly in 1992. In Tony’s later years, Mela and he lived in a house left to them after the passing of their son Marvin. While living in this home, he befriended many neighbors, including Yaneth Alcantara and David Pelarez, who became close friends and eventually his caregivers. Tony thought the world of Yaneth and David, and their friendship was deep and meaningful, and the Ruiz family will remain indebted for their friendship, kindness, and care for Tony.
Tony will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Tony was preceded in death by his wife Mela in 2011, son Marvin in 2003, daughter-in-law Susan Syme in 2003, and son-in-law Brad Maggy in 2021. Tony leaves behind a large family who will miss his joyful presence full of gratitude for the gifts he had in his life.
Children
· Jerry Ruiz
· Chester Ruiz and Molly Vatinel
· Martha Ruiz
· Antonio Ruiz, Jr and Amy Wireman
Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
· Mark and Alicia Ruiz (son Mark Ruiz, Jr)
· Kathleen and Neil VanGinhoven (son Bradley VanGinhoven)
· Michael Ruiz and Brynne Levy (daughter Pearl Ruiz)
· Michelle and Matt Kauffman (children Isabelle, Wesley, Jack, and Kate Kaufmann)
· Meagan and John Cantalupi (sons Luca and Louie Cantalupi)
· Mary Claire Vatinel
· Laura Vatinel
· Henri Vatinel
· Jennifer Scerri and John Pavon (children Milena and CJ Scerri)
· Paul Johnson and Becky McDonald Johnson (son Will Johnson)
· Brian and Kayla Maggy
· Aaron and Regina Maggy (daughter Sophie Maggy)
· Antonio A Ruiz
· Guillermo Ruiz
· Joanna Ruiz
· Carina Coppock
· Pierce Coppock
The Ruiz family has been the beneficiaries of the sacrifices and hard work of Tony and Mela who paved the way for generations to live the American Dream. In their memory, we are committed to keep the dream alive and follow their roadmap to expand opportunities and deliver on the obligation to be an active informed citizen. Que viva Tony, Si Se Pudo!
Services will be held at Skylawn Funeral Home on April 28, 2023 at 11:00 in the Crystal Springs Chapel. Address is Highway 92 and Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402
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