Celebrating the Life of my Papa Ruiz

Posted by Dan and Carole McClelland

A few of my favorite pictures of Papa Ruiz and our family. 

My favorite picture ever of my dad and me.  He always had a huge smile! 

My dad's family growing up (all my aunts and uncles) 

Me as a baby, with my dad and my grandparents from Puerto Rico 

Puerto Rican Parade downtown Chicago every year

My parents wedding day

Walking me down the aisle for my wedding 

 

Olive as a baby and then Valor as a baby! He loved his Grandchildren. 

Christmas in July visit to Chicago during our time serving in Jamaica 

Visits to Chicago in the last 6 months, no matter where or what, 

my dad had a smile on his face and joy to share.

Our last family visit to Chicago during Thanksgiving when my dad was at home.  We are so thankful for this intentional time we got with my dad.   

Welcome

“Bless you and your family!! May you count God’s blessings around!!!

 May you find peace and love!! May we never forget to thank God for 

             his grace!! Keep uplifting others with your love!!

This blessing is the last text message my father sent; his words to his beloved family. As was his custom, Dad sent out a daily message to his family, often with an emoji.  When we talked, he often told me, “Everyday, I ask God what to write.”  This text was Dad’s last one, written in the early morning, on the day he “graduated to heaven”.  Today, my family wanted to start and close this service of celebration with his words and share them with you.  So will you listen one more time to my Father’s blessing. 

              “Bless you and your family!! May you count God’s blessings around!!!

  May you find peace and love!! May we never forget to thank God for 

                             his grace!! Keep uplifting others with your love!!”

                                                               ++++++++++++++++

Hello! Hello! Welcome to the service of celebration for Joseph A. Ruiz.  My name is Carole McClelland, formerly Ruiz.  And on behalf of the whole Ruiz family, it is an honor to welcome you today to celebrate the life of my father.  

My dad was first a son, a brother and then a husband, father and grandfather. 

If you knew Dad, you know he loved life! He loved so many things! And many, if not all of you here today, had the opportunity to enjoy them with him.  He loved toys, trains, antiques, music (especially salsa and oldies). He loved reading the newspaper and watching the news.  He loved movies, especially westerns. He loved history and was a teacher at heart! He loved sharing stories about his childhood and growing up on Erie Street. Professionally, Dad was a history teacher, who also served on the Board of Education making a way for bilingual education and who was a bridge for Hispanic families and the school system. He was the man with the Palm tree shirt, straw hat, and his machete at every Puerto Rican Parade for most of his life. He was a HS principal and an elder at St. Paul Lutheran Church.    He was a clown, a funny man, and brought joy everywhere and to everyone he encountered.  He loved laughing! He loved sugar and sweets.  He loved his mangos, donuts, coke and jello. He loved giving gifts and was always getting things he thought his grandchildren would like.  But above all of this, he was a lover of people and cared deeply about relationships and peace.  

You may know him as Joseph Arthur Ruiz, Joseph A. Ruiz, Little Joe,  Joe or Joe from Chicago, Mr. Ruiz, Sir, Dad or Grandpa, but to me, he was my Papa Ruiz and always will be. 

In remembering his life, it was evident that my father had so many different chapters of his life and each person who intersected his life in that chapter knew him at that specific time in a certain way. Each person had different, unique experiences and specific connections with him during these different chapters.  This week as our family prepared for today, I was able to see the fullness of this amazing man.  As I listened to others recount their memories of my dad, I learned new things, I saw a bigger picture, and my love and respect for my dad only increased.

Our hope is today to do the exact same thing.  That we, as a family and friends, can share our own memories with my dad.  And I pray we'll all listen to each other; something my dad did so well. By doing this, we can all learn more about Joseph Ruiz and sense the fullness of his life  so we can truly celebrate him today. 

MESSAGE/Sermon

There are some pictures that came to mind when I was preparing this message that represent parts of Dad’s character. 

Wisemen: (Dad loved the three kings).  He had wisdom, worshiped Jesus and brought gifts to people. 

Tree of Life: Dad loved life, produced so much fruit for others to enjoy, and brought healing to others.

Jesus in the storm: Dad was one, who in the storms of life, calmed the storm and brought peace to others. 

These all represent my dad well, but the symbol I settled on was one of a lion.  My father loved lions. They are all over our house. He was born in August and is a leo.  As I reflected about a lion, I had a peace thinking about the many parallels between the Lion of Judah, often related to King David, and my dad. My dad was brave and had strength.  He was a leader and had authority. He was a protector and bringer of peace. And he championed and unified people. All these characteristics are observable in lions, as well as King David as well as my dad.

Moving forward with my Dad in our hearts

My mom and two siblings in Chicago visiting my dads resting place after the celebration of life service.  My kids and I remembering my dad by playing of of his favorite games Ticket to Ride, he loved Mexican train dominoes too! 

I had the opportunity to share a devotional at our home school group about how God is our light and I shared about the last month and how God was our light/guide during this hard time.  Olive and Valor had the opportunities to share stories and pictures of Grandpa!