Native Red Bank resident, Joseph Louis Ruffini, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 24, peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, the same hospital where he was born on Aug. 6, 1962. He was 63.
Born and raised in Red Bank, Joe spent years of his life dedicated to his community, friends, and family.
Joe worked for his father’s company, Red Bank Roofing, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Following in the footsteps of his father, Clarence, who served in the U.S. Marines, Joe served as a Gunners Mate in the U.S.S. Butte and the U.S.S. Acadia from 1981 to 1984. Joe studied electronics during his time in the Navy and continued his educational pursuits, post-service at DeVry University.
He later took over his father’s company Red Bank Roofing, which opened in 1947 and remained in business under his leadership up till 2026. He also took his business skills to another level by becoming a landlord. “He treated his tenants with friendship, as if they were family.”
“Over the course of his life, the Navy man in him remained. Owning multiple boats which he has coasted through all local rivers, bays, harbors and ocean. His most recent endeavor was diving in and winning a bid on a command cutter: The Naval War College. Joe was the plank owner and brought the boat to its new home in Oceanport. He turned this passion from a hobby to a business creating Historic Yacht Charters. He used his boat to bring people together for work meetings, birthdays, engagements, weddings, celebrations of life, and most importantly memory making with his family and friends. He truly enjoyed sharing the boat’s history and story to all who would listen. Taking much pride in not just the beauty of the ship, but in its history serving as an admiral’s barge for the US Navy. Joe referred to his long hours caring for the boat as a ‘labor of love.’ Joe also was a proud member of Monmouth Boat Club in Red Bank and involved in local U.S. Coast Guard as an auxiliary member helping to keep local waterways safe since 2012.
Loved ones of Joseph Ruffino in his obituary
“However, above all, the dearest thing to his heart was his family. Meeting the love of his life, Lela, and marrying on Dec. 4, 1988. Together they had two daughters, who he loved immensely. Everything Joseph did in his life was for his girls. He enjoyed being a parent and a best friend to them. He was the perfect girl dad- strong, and sensitive. Able to guide and support his daughters to be smart, kind, comedic, solid, stable, well-rounded and successful all while making every moment fun. Joe gifted his daughters with the most memorable childhood, where they were deeply loved, cared for, and wanted for nothing. Whether they sat at home or were on a trip- Joe always made everything an adventure. Doing anything to provide laughter, smiles, jokes, and wisdom. Truly a father above the rest. Joseph was a hardworking man, smart, funny and friend to all. He is also a man of faith, believing in Jesus and a parishioner at Saint James Roman Catholic Church. When you hear a joke, or see a water way, think of him.
Joseph was predeceased by: his parents, Clarence and Marie Ruffini; his sister, Patricia Ann Ruffini Holmes; and his beloved wife, Manuela Lela Camba-Ruffini.
He is survived by: his daughters, Ariella Mercedes Camba-Ruffini and Alyssa Gabrielle Ruffini, his “pride and joy;” his sisters, Lois and Rose Ruffini; great-nephew, Dylan Bounoquista; his brothers-in-law, Terry Holmes and Maximino C. Camba; his sister-in-law, Catherine Lotorto; his precious white dove, Lulu; and dogs, Dixon and Roman.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ, 07701. A funeral mass will be offered Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. Saint James Roman Catholic Church, 94 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ, 07701. Entombment will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home
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