Norman C. Ruffing

Father Norman C. Ruffing, of Pinole and Willits, California, passed away at the age of 90 on March 10, 2026. Born in Norwich Township, Huron County, Ohio, he was the son of the late Aloysius Peter and Anna Catherine (Wise) Ruffing. He was ordained as a Divine Word Missionary on February 2, 1963, and served in Rome before returning to the United States, where he ministered as a diocesan priest in the Diocese of Oakland. Over the years he served the parishes of St. Perpetua in Lafayette, All Saints in Hayward, St. Cyril of Jerusalem in Oakland, St. Leonard in Fremont, and St. Joseph in Pinole. In retirement he continued his priestly ministry as a substitute priest at St. Francis Chapel in Hopland in the Diocese of Santa Rosa.

Norman is survived by his beloved twin brother, Norbert (Mary), his dear friend Sonny Jordan, and by many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and former parishioners. He was preceded in death by six of his seven siblings and their spouses: Mary (Clyde) Rekart, Father Joseph, Dorothy (John) Wagener, Robert (Doris), Sister Mildred, H.M., and Florence.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli.