Peacefully, following a short and courageous battle with cancer, on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at his late residence on Manitoulin Island, formerly of Grand Bend and London in his 69th year. Beloved husband of Marilyn (Saunders) Ruth. Dear father of Christy Ruth and Wayne Pilkey of Mount Brydges, Mandy and Marco Mazzocco of Guelph, and James and Amy Ruth of Madison, Wisconsin. Dear grandfather of Nathan and Taylor; and Mason and Isabelle. Brother of Bill and Susan Ruth of London. Especially missed by Sage and Magic. Don will be remembered by his staff and many business associates of Gordon Ruth & Co. Ltd. Electronic Distributors, fellow members of the Kilwinning Masonic Lodge, Mocha Temple Shrine, and his friends at Sexsmith Flying Club. Cremation.
Donations to the Humane Society or the Huron County S.P.C.A. would be appreciated by the family. Haskett Funeral Home, Lucan (519-227-4211) entrusted with arrangements.
Donald Gordon Ruth
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Thompson PIeris
To Marilyn, Christy, Mandy, James and families,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. So sorry to read about Don’s death. I always enjoyed talking to him, he was a kind, wise man and greast boss. I always remember him.
Ex employee 1986-1995
Thompson Pieris,
Russ and Kathie Roedding
Dear Marilyn: Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We have just learned of your loss. Treasure the memories that you shared with Don, the laughter, the tears, for they can never be taken away. Our thoughts are with you.
Russ and Kathie
Terry & Ruth Giles
Dear Marilyn & Family
So sorry to hear of Dons passing. We shared many good times, but not enough. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Terry & Ruth Giles
Holly Norton
Hi Marilyn
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Don. May you remember all the wonderful memories you shared together. May Don rest peacefully in heaven. You are in my prayers.
God Bless you.
Love Holly xo
Bob Haskett
Dear Marilyn and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Don.
My thoughts are with you.
Bob Haskett
Tass Hamstra
Marilyn,
I will always remember Don not just as an employer, but a friend as well. He will be missed.
Tass and Krista Hamstra
Bev & Nancy Chapman
Marilyn and family we were so sorry to hear about the loss of Don. We had many good time together, dinner parties, airplane rides. I am sorry we didn’t keep in touch more often. Marilyn you are a very strong person, just think of all the wonderful times and accomplishments you and Don shared over the years together. You have children and grandchildren that will keep you busy and young at heart now. Our blessings and love are with you and your family.
John , Brenda, Jordan and Connor Bissett
To Marilyn, Christy, Mandy, James and Family
Keep your memories close to your heart, they provide the smiles through our tears. You are all in our thoughts and words cannot express the loss that we all feel.
Karen Shuttleworth
Dear Marilyn, Christy, Mandy and James,
I was saddened to read about Don. I have happy memories of your family – in the garden on Odessa – three little blondes playing and busy Mom and Dad loving them. I trust your memories will comfort you as you grieve your enormous loss.
Karen
Todd Hunking
I will always remember Don for being more of friend than an employer. Monday morning he would lean back in his chair and listen with a wide grin to the exploits of the weekend from all the guys.
Working with Don and Marilyn felt like working with family and I’ll always miss those times.
Todd
Ken Munro
Dear Mrs. Ruth,
I was saddened to learn of Don’s passing. Over the last 20+ years I came to know Don as a man of the highest integrity. He was a fine man and will be dearly missed. My condolences to you and all who loved him.He will never be forgotten by those who knew him.
Sincerely,
Ken
Carol Bereczki
Hi Marilyn.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I can only imagine the last few weeks you had with Don.
I am glad you were able to have him home with you.
No doubt he will always be with you, continuing to enjoy
the island.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I hope to come and spend more time at Joanne’s in the months to come.
Sincerely,
Carol Bereczki
John and Dusty Carter
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Ric and Denise Mocellin
To all the Ruth Family:
We extend to Marilyn, the Ruth family and Bill and Susan Ruth our heartfelt condolences. We wish you peace and will keep you in our prayers.
Ric and Denise Mocellin
Brian Cross
Dear Bill,Susan,and family:Iwas so sorry to hear of the recent death of Bill”s brother Donald.Even though I never had the opportunity to meet the gentleman through his obituary I understand he was a fine man and an exemplerary business person as are you and susan with your respective organizations of St.Joeseph”s Healthcare,and Tillman,Ruth,Modecellin in London,OntarioPlease accept our condolences on behalf of all the St. Joeseph”s Healthcare in London.Please take really good care of your family and dear friends in this difficult time of need.Your Strong Faith in God will sustain you folks.Your friend as always-Brian Cross-25 year volunteer-Main Desk-Parkwood Hospital-London,Ontario.Thank you and God Bless one and all.
Greg and Kathy Hodgins
Marilyn,Christy, Mandy, James and famiies
We were so very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Even though there is nothing that can ease the loss and the heartache that you are feeling ,please know that you are all in our thoughts and in our hearts during this most difficult time.
Joanne and Erika
To the Ruth family,
It was such a wonderful summer getting to know the Ruth family as our neigbours on Manitoulin Island. Only after meeting Don and Marilyn a couple of times, my daughter Erika asked if they were part of our family…I asked her why she would say this and she replied ,because it feels like we have known them for a long time. Grieving a Loss yet Celebrating a Life. To Don,-its five o’clock somewhere….Jo and Erika
XX00
Michael Lauckner
Marilyn
Erin and I wish to pass on our condolences. We are thinking of you and your family, and miss your presence on Schade View beach.
Sincerely,
Mike Lauckner and Erin Vickers
Ann Bissett
Marilyn,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.He will be missed
Ray and Susan Roedding
Dear Marilyn and Family
May the wonderful memories of Don be with you always. We hope the love of your family and friends will help you through this difficult time.
Ray and Susan Roedding
Randy Pawlowski & Family
So sorry for your loss…I new Don Ruth as a pillar in the community. A gentle soul full of wisdom and pride for his family. Very fortunate and honoured to have known him.
Peace be with you…
Bud & Wendy
Marilyn & Family, our deepest sympathy, He was one great guy, was looking forward to spending more time with you both next summer, Hope to see you when you come down to the Bend.
Sincerly Bud & Wendy
Shelva Reiss
Marilyn, When our friend purchased the cottage next to you and Don, we where not expecting that purchase to include such great neighbours who have become great friends.I have had many laughs, nice conversations and delicious meals shared with you and Don. I am so thankful for the visit with you both last Saturday. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. We will see you soon. Lots of hugs. Shelva & Gerald
Mary (Peel) Kisow
To all of the Ruth family, I extend my sympathy.
My Brother Bob and I lived right adjacent over the fence from Don.
How I remember all the hours we all spent as a group. I moved away from London in 1960 but have heard from his Mom and Dad over the years. My Mother and brother had very fond memories of all, and living in Madison, Wisconsin the last 50 years, I was sad to hear of Dons passing. He will be joining his Mom and Dad now. Rest in Peace Don. And again my sympathy goes out to a wonderful extended family.
Doug Tompkins
Marilyn, so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I think of you guys often whenever I turn on the radio and point the antenna toward some distant country. I always enjoyed the lunches on the deck at the shop :). My deepest sympathy.
Barbara Carter and Colin McGugan
To Marilyn and Family.
Don will be greatly missed. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
Willie and Linda Feke
Marilyn:
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Don’s passing. Please accept our deepest and sincerest sympathy.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Noel Martin
Dear Marilyn:Sincere condolences to you on Don”s passing. Please extend my deepest sympathy to Christy, Mandy, James and families.
Noel Martin {Westdale P S.}
Martin and Ann Vandenbosch
To Bill and Susan,
So sorry to learn of your brother’s passing.
We wish you strength during the difficult days ahead.
With sincere sympathy, Martin and Ann
Drew Dalgleish + Janet Mathers
Marilyn,
We’re deeply saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I always enjoyed talking to him, he was a kind and wise man.
Janet Wright
Marilyn
So shocked to hear about Don’s passing. He truely will be missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Louise (Kirk) Good
We were so sorry to hear about Don. We are organizing a 50th reunion for the Central Class of 1961 and had been trying to get in touch with Don. Now we realize why we had not heard back. He will be missed.
Most sincerely,
Louise (Kirk) Good on behalf of the 50th reunion committee
Bob Peel
Marilyn & Family
Just had the wind knocked out my sails upon reading of Don’s passing. My deepest sympathy. Oh how I remember the Ruth family being a second family to me when I was very young. My father had died when I was two. We lived adjacent to the Ruth family. Don and I were the same age, we went to public school together and often Don and his family invited me to the cottage. The memories flow back through the mists of time. Memories of being at the cottage, the skating rink in front of the Ruth home, Bill being in a baby carriage, etc. Don was a good building block in my life and I’m so sorry to hear of his loss. We’ve lost a special person.
Leanne Chapman
My deepest sympathy to Marilyn and family. You are in my thoughts.
Leanne
Dave and Mary Jane Lapthorne
Dear Marilyn and Family……Mary Jane and I extend our sincere sympathy to you and your children at this difficult time…..great memories from T-ball, Kilwinning and Riverside. We have always appreciated Don and your strong support for our son, Joe.
Our prayers are with you.
Dave and Mary Jane Lapthorne
Jim Miller
Our condolences to the entire Ruth family from a childhood friend of the family since pre-kindergarten through Lord Roberts and Central CI.
Jim and Karen Miller from our winter home in Florida
George & Pandy York
Marilyn, You have been in our thoughts and in our hearts since we knew of Don’s illness. We were so saddened to hear of his passing, and shocked with the speed of events.
We’re grateful for the happy times we shared as family – and had so hoped and planned for more. Don was a very special guy, and he certainly passed that goodness on to James.
-sending our sincere sympathy and love to you and the family.
Aiden Burton
Mandy and family,
My deep sympathies to you and your family. You are in my prayers.
Bob Saunders
So very very sorry. He was one of the good guys.
Bob…
Mary Margaret Prowse
Marilyn, Christy, Mandy, James and families:
So sorry to read about Don’s death. I know he will be dearly missed by all. May you all find strength in each other to carry you though this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deepest sympathy
Mary Margaret and Don Prowse
Jennifer Haskett
Marilyn,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you during this sad time.
Sueanne Adkins
To Marilyn and your family
I was shocked and very saden to hear of Don Passing. My deepest sympathy are with you and your family. For me he will always be remembered as the man that you always learned something every time you talked to him and the kindess soul.
Tork Hillary
Marilyn,
So sorry to see this news
You were great neighbours.
Tork
Bill and Lorna Alexander
Marilyn, We were so sorry to hear of Don’s death. I will always fondly remember his upbeat approach to the various concerns I had to our security issues. We were happy to have seen you and Don at Colin’s wedding. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts.
Don and Edith Lewis says
So sorry to hear the loss of your husband Marilyn . Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Allyson Squire
Marilyn,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I always enjoyed his quick visits in Lucan – He was a great man. You are in my thoughts.
Allyson
Taylor Ruth-Pawlowski
I have loved papa for 9 years since i was born. he has been a sweet and thoughtful papa and so much fun to have a around when we were at the beach and at manitoulin island. I will miss him and I am glad he is in no pain and with God in a safe place. I love you papa.
Patrick McGinley
Marilyn, James and Amy I am so sorry to hear of you loss my thoughts and prayers are will you , I know that you have many wonderful memories and stories and these are the things that give us comfort.
all my love
Patrick
Waynne and Willi Charlton
Marilyn and family:
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel! Hold tight to memories for comfort and they will give you strength.
As you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry, knowing each tear is a note of love rising to the heavens.
Peace, Prayers and Blessings
Waynne & Willi Charlton
Tucson AZ.
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Marilyn, Christy, Mandy, James and families.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you. It was a great shock to hear fo Don’s sickness and now his passing. It has been a pleasure to be a friend at Sexsmith and Manitoulin Island. We will treasure our memories.