Joseph Bernard Ruffin

Born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Sicilian immigrants spent his childhood in Oak Park, Illinois and attended Oak Park/River Forest High School. Joe was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Illinois and attended Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. His internship year was spent at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, Texas, where he was introduced to his lovely wife, Vestina, on a blind date. Various moves followed: three years as Post Surgeon, Camp Fuji, Japan; two years specializing in Occupational Medicine at the University of Cincinnati Institute of Industrial Health; four years in Claremont, California, as Assistant Medical Director, Kaiser Steel Corp.; with a final move to pursue residency training at The University of Oklahoma, Department of Psychiatry. In Oklahoma he found a home he adopted with pride and joy, often acting as a great ambassador when traveling. Joe was married to Vestina Provencio for 57 years - their marriage an exemplary model of love and devotion. Their union produced 6 children and 18 grandchildren. Joe was an amazing father, always expressing tremendous pride in his wife and children. His faith and family sustained him throughout life. He was an active member of the Catholic Church and Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oklahoma City. His love of music was always evident at mass. At a rather advanced age he even expressed a desire to join the parish choir. Joe was especially fond of Cathedral pastors Monsignor Ed Weisenburger and Fr. Tom Boyer, both of whom have been true spiritual confidants and friends. Joe enjoyed a thriving private and academic practice of Psychiatry for 45 years. Fascinated by human behavior he was passionate about helping patients discover their true potential. He learned from patients, colleagues, residents and students. He appreciated diversity among all people. He was also fascinated by his work with the Department of Corrections. Joe's other passions are almost too numerous to count. He loved art, bolos, books, nurseries and was quite the curator of a fabulous garden on the grounds of his Heritage Hills home. He frequently invited friends and strangers to visit his extensive display of Japanese maples. His annual amaryllis distribution also brought him much joy. He was a voracious reader, consuming information with passion. Joe would find that special gift for friends and family, seeming to always touch upon personal interests. There was no match for scheduling "breakfast dates" as Joe always enjoyed his time with friends, family and new acquaintances, going back many years to Cafe do Brasil, El Antigua and Cafe Kacao. His weekend outings with Vestina were always adventurous and often exhausting. A favorite destination was the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Museum Cafe and Film center where Joe and Vestina were always treated like royalty. He was a true renaissance man...lover of life, always curious and found beauty all around him. Preceeded in death by his parents, Joseph and Carolina and his daughter-in-law Maria Elena Ruffin. Survived by his wife Vestina, sister Gloria and husband Mel Walsh of Plainfield, IL; son Joseph Luis and wife Gayle, Maria Belen, Diana, Daniel and Montserrat of OKC; son Mykl Ruffino and wife Susan, Anya of Skokie, IL; son Carlos Ruffino and wife Delinda, Michaella & AJ Ramler, Robert Ruffino of Dallas, TX; son Richard and wife Patty, Julie (Atlanta), Andrew (Washington, DC) and William of OKC; son Mark and wife Manda, Reina, Aubrey, David and John of OKC; and daughter Lisa and her husband Bentley Edmonds, Joe, Adele, Charlotte and Natalie of OKC. Special thanks to Home Instead Senior Care, Hospice of Oklahoma County, Dr. Denise LeBlanc and our caregiving team, many of whom have become part of our family - Charlene, Kim, Ashley, Christina, Angela, Queen, Juana, Starla and Amy. We are grateful to our sister Lisa and Bentley Edmonds for providing the opportunity for Joe to be cared for at home until the very end. Memorial donations may be made to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and to the music program at Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. A wake and special celebration of Joe's life will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, February 27th with a funeral mass on Tuesday, February 28th at 10:30. Both services will be at Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3214 N. Lake Ave., Oklahoma City. Luncheon to follow at parish hall (Connor Center) with interment at Fairlawn Cemetery thereafter.