Emilio Ruffolo, 89, of Pleasant Prairie, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Brookside Care Center surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 24, 1923, in Marano Marchesato, Province of Cosenza, Italy, he was the son of the late Eugenio and Rosaria (Caruso) Ruffolo. He was educated in Italy. Emilio served in the Italian Army from 1941 until 1945. While serving, Emilio spent time as a prisoner of war. On November 24, 1946, in Marano Principato, Italy, he married Rita Sicilia. She preceded him in death on February 4, 2009. On July 24, 1969, Emilio moved his wife and family to America for the promises of a better life. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and the Italian American Club. He enjoyed making homemade wine and making various Italian salamis. Emilio enjoyed a glass of wine when hanging out with his friends and playing cards on Sundays. He especially enjoyed celebrating his birthday with his family. He was proud of his award winning flower beds and gardens. Emilio was a welder for Arneson Foundry for over 20 years until his retirement. On May 14, 1983, he was very proud to help his son Frank open Ruffolo’s Special Pizza, where everyone knew him as “Grandpa”. Surviving are his five children, Rosaria (Frank) Debartolo, Nella (Serafino) Ruffolo, Francesco (Giuliana) Ruffolo, all of Kenosha, Renato (Brunella) Ruffolo of Pleasant Prairie, and Vanda (Armando) Ruffolo of Kenosha; sixteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one brother, Agostino (Carmelina) Ruffolo; two sisters, Rita (Frank) Bilotto and Gemma (Frank) Naccaratto; and one sister-in-law, Amelia Ruffolo. Along with his wife and parents, Emilio was preceded in death by two brothers, Fiorino and Mariano Ruffolo; one sister-in-law, Gilda Ruffolo; and two brothers died at a young age in Italy. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. L. Montemurro and the staff at Brookside Care Center and Hospice Alliance. Funeral services will be held from Proko Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 20th, at 9:30 a.m. Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 19th, at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Emilio’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Gemma Naccarato
March 17, 2014
Mio caro fratello Emilio,E passato un anno che non ti vedo. Come sento la tua mancanza. Ti voglio tante bene. Ti penzo sembre, Emilio coro.Tu sorella, Gemma
Bettina
April 14, 2013
Nonno, Its been a month since you passed away. we have had two masses for you I hope this prayers help! Miss you! Ti amo!
Amelia Ruffolo and family
March 21, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Ruffolo family. We will miss and love Emilio.
Anna Maria, Terry, Nathan, Rachel Dzimiera
March 19, 2013
We all LOVED ZIO Emilio, he will truly be missed by everyone. Our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to all la familia...Zio Emilio, Have fun with your Brother (my DAD and PAPA), who we still love and miss everyday... xxxxoooo....
Bettina
March 18, 2013
Nannu even though you passed suddenly you did it your way like the Frank Sinatra song. I wish I could have said goodbye or heard one more story! and you telling me off! but God had a different plan. I will not say goodbye I say to you until we see each other again. Take care Nanuu and I will have a glass of wine for you. Ti Amo!
Lisa Parker (Sander)
March 18, 2013
My condolences to the entire Ruffolo family. Emilio was a kind and sweet man. I remember working at Ruffolos I and when every he was around he would smile and give out hugs. He lit up the room. He will be truly be missed.
Anna Singer
March 17, 2013
Vanda and family, So sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Anna and Scott Singer
Gemma and Frank Naccarato
March 16, 2013
Caro Fratello e Cognato,Sentiamo la tua mancanza moltissimo. Fratello, Caro e Buon Cuorazzone con tutti.Non ni dimenticamo di te. Sei stato tanto affetuoso. Baciami a Mamma, Papa' e fratelli Mariano e Fiorino, e le Cognate Rita e Gilda.Ti vogliamo tanto bene.Tua Sorella Gemma e Cognato Ciccillo Naccarato
Theresa & Renato Cosentino and Family
March 16, 2013
Dear Zio Emilio,You have left a void that can never be filled by anyone else. Your absence will be greatly felt by all. We will miss you- especially your laugh and your smile. Rest in peace with all our beloved departed ones and pray for us.Theresa, Renato, Stefania, Emilio, and Adriano Cosentino
Lisa and Josh O'Malley
March 16, 2013
Zio Emilio, may you rest in peace and watch over all of us. We will miss you!
Anthony and Giulia Naccarato
March 16, 2013
Dear Zio Emilio- We will miss you greatly. We will always remember how you loved to have fun and joke around and were always happy to see us. You will always be remembered with a smile on your face and a glass of wine in your hand toasting your family.We love you- Nephew Anthony, Niece Giulia, Great Niece Gemma and Great Nephew Franco Naccarato
Rita and Frank Bilotto
March 16, 2013
Caro Fratello e Cognato Emilio,Come' ni hai lasciato con dolore. Sempre ni volevi assieme. Sentiamo la tua mancanza tanto. Ti vogliamo tanto bene.Tua Sorella e Cognato Rita e' Ciccillo Bilotto
Nancy and Rick Shuster
March 16, 2013
Zio Emilio always tried to go to all family celebrations. He was a man full of life, love and compassion. We will miss his laugh. Our heartfelt sympathy and love to all.
Saveria
March 16, 2013
Nonno will miss you telling all of us the stories from Italy!! and playing Italian cards. We all know how serious you were playing cards. Say Hi to Nanna for me and watch over all of us!!