Richard W. Ruffley, 80, of East Freetown, MA, passed away quietly at home on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He was the husband of Joyce A. Ruffley.
Richard was born April 13, 1943 and raised in North Dartmouth, MA, one of three children to Gladys (Petty) and Kenneth Ruffley.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, and was a member of the Freetown VFW. During his time in Vietnam, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
A logger, fisherman, and scalloper by trade, he loved to tend to his garden in the summer months, make puzzles, and go for his afternoon coffee. Richard gave his heart to his wife, who he married in 2004 and shared 19 years of marriage together, as well as both of their families.
Richard leaves his wife, Joyce, and his children: Richard Christensen of Plymouth, NH, his wife Andrea and their son Andrew; Christine Travers of Rochester, NH, her husband Michael and their children Christopher, Cassie, and Matthew; and his wife's daughter Susan Gillis of Mattapoisett, MA, her husband Alan and their daughters Isabelle and Katherine. He also leaves a brother, Kenneth Ruffley of Dartmouth, MA, his wife Jane; sister, Cynthia Johnson of Saraland, AL; as well as a great-grandson and several nephews.
Richard wished to give a special thanks to his nephew, Nathan (Red) Ruffley of Darmouth, MA, and granddaughter, Katherine Gillis of Mattapoisett, MA, for going above and beyond in their care to him in his last months.
At Richard's request, a private burial service will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.