Contributions to the tribute of Brian J. Ruiz

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The family of Brian J. Ruiz uploaded a photo

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

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The family of Brian J. Ruiz uploaded a photo

Thursday, February 26, 2015

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michael katn posted a condolence

Monday, October 19, 2009

sad to hear of old friends passing.........remember him as a strong tough guy......may he rest in peace

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Ray and Paula Lopez posted a condolence

Monday, October 19, 2009

We pray the peace of God's love draw you closer to Him and each other.

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Barbara Brenseke posted a condolence

Saturday, October 17, 2009

We went to Commack High School North together. May you rest in peace.

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Gail Carillo posted a condolence

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I am deeply saddened by the news of Brians Passing. I knew Brian when we were kids in High School. Also born in 1959 it is hard for me to accept we are saying goodbye to our peers. I do not know what has taken Brians young life but I wanted the family to know that he is remembered warmly from back in 1977 as a free spirit with a neverending smile. My deepest, heartfelt sympathies to the family that survives him.

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Mark Ruiz posted a condolence

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thoughts that I shared at Brians service on 10/10/09.... The past month has challenged all of us emotionally. We’ve had good news when we felt Brian was making progress toward a liver transplant. And some very sad news when he passed away. Blended in with all this emotion was the realization that Brian was not the same person who left for Florida in 2002. Yes his liver disease had taken a serious toll on his massive body but there was much more. We had come to learn that Brian had completely remade himself spiritually. Our first indication of this came last year when my mom and Aunt Leticia visited Brian and were invited to a ceremony to celebrate a 2 year milestone in Brian’s recovery. His countless friends recently told us it was a visit that Brian had anticipated for weeks and would brag about to anyone who would listen – even boasting about his mom’s great cooking. When mom and Aunt Leticia came out of arrivals at the Fort Lauderdale airport, they found Brian standing among the limo drivers holding a sign that read “MAMA and FRIEND”. This past June Patty and I invited Brian to his niece’s high school and college graduation parties. He was unable to attend but he did send a wonderful card clearly written from the heart. We later found that same invitation proudly displayed on the wall of his small bedroom along with other family pictures and thank you cards. Clearly the biggest sign that brian was remade was during a vigil service in early September while he was in the hospital. My mom and I were in attendance along with 30+ friends. Each of the 30+ friends opened their hearts and shared their innermost thoughts and memories about Brian – how he welcomed them as new members, how he helped them with their addictions and illnesses, how he led their recovery meetings, how he had done work on their homes and on and on. They were all so thankful to have had Brian in their lives. Similar heartfelt memories were shared in a 2 hour memorial service this past Tuesday. This heartfelt sharing of thoughts was confirmation that Brian had redirected his unique physical and mental skill set to helping others. Brian may have fallen down multiple times in life but I’m confident the lessons he learned while at his lowest lows were invaluable tools in assisting others. Its been said that its not how you run the race, but rather its how you finish – Brian can hold his head up high – he finished strong doing all the right things. In Brian’s room we also found a hand-written list taped to the dresser beside his bed. One of Brian’s friends said it was a prayer list, which Brian kept to remind himself of the recent blessings in his life for which he was especially grateful. The list included the following: - My improved health - Knowing my mom is proud of me and is going to visit - That my daughter Nicole is speaking to me - That I am good at my job - That I am a good person after all - For my God - For my new found life - For the people I live with at Foundations In Brian’s list there is one blessing that is shared by our whole family - that Brian’s daughter, Nicole has reentered our lives – she’s a special young woman with a bright future. Somewhere up in the heavens, Brian is smiling the familiar smirky smile that everyone loved about him. I hope he realizes that we are proud of what he achieved and that we have forgiven him.

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Allison Renner Mead posted a condolence

Monday, October 12, 2009

I grew up with Brian. He lived 'around the block' from me. I will always remember how 'cute' Brian was and how all the girls, including me, had big crushes on him. But Brian wasn't just 'cute' on the outside. He was sweet, fun, quite charming and kind to everyone, even some of us 'less popular' girls. He had a good heart, which was obvious to all who knew him. At first glance at this picture of Brian, I was taken by surprise to see NOT the teenager I knew in this picture, but a handsome 50 year old man. But within minutes I could see that smirky (half) smile still there, still handsome, and somehow this picture touched me deeply. Over the years, I often asked his brother Mark how Brian was doing. My favorite memory was of hearing about Brian's "well-behaved" beautiful daughter and to hear that Brian was living in Florida and doing well. Of course, the news wasn't always good, so it especially warms my heart to find out that Brian found his true path and gave so much of himself, in helping others and strengthening his own recovery, which has restored my faith in the ability for people to change their paths and find their true selves. I am saddened that his life had to end so soon after it seemed to have just begun. I will always have fond memories of Brian and wish that he will long be remembered for the good he accomplished in his life and the wonderful person which he always had inside him.... With love, Allison (Renner) Mead

In loving memory of

Brian

1959 - 2009