Honorable Santo J. Ruma, of Winchester, passed away Tuesday December 18. He was 82.
Born in Medford, he was the son of the late Joseph C. and Mary J. (Postizzi) Ruma.
Santo grew up helping his father run a produce stand at Quincy Market, and then delivering to local restaurants. Something he spoke of throughout his life. Often when he saw a vegetable. Especially a tomato. He was the first member of his family to attend college, and then law school, both at Boston University. He worked full time while putting himself through school. He rose through his profession in private practice and public service. As counsel to the Department of Natural Resources, Santo drafted the first state-wide Wet Land Protection Act. He also represented the former Speaker of the House Thomas W. McGee. In 1983, he was appointed by Governor Edward J. King as the Presiding Judge for the Peabody District Court, where he discharged his duties with honor, dignity and fairness. Santo was frequently honored for outstanding accomplishments and exemplary public service, including by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the City of Peabody, the Middlesex Bar Association, the Augusta Boston Club and the Order Sons of Italy in America. He was a principled jurist and person. Santo was beloved by all who met him. Almost immediately. He was a tremendously popular man, always looking to help others. Always supportive. Always proud of the achievements of others. A charming man. A loving man. A hard worker. An ambitious chef (earning mixed reviews). He loved to read. He loved to travel, especially to Italy. Even more so, he loved to visit New York to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Santo was a devoted husband of 60 years, an incredible father and father-in-law, and an amazing and proud grandfather. He is deeply missed.
The beloved husband of 60 years Joan C. (DeBilio) Ruma, he was a devoted father to Linda Ruma Kurtz and her husband Glenn M. Kurtz of New York City. He was a loving grandfather to Kevin G. Kurtz. He was a dear brother of Anna Cascio, Joseph Ruma and the late Marie Palumbo. He is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD Saturday, December 22 at 10 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford, at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday 3 – 7 PM.
Services will conclude with burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester.