OMENA – Edward Owen Ruffley, 74, of Omena died Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Medilodge of Leelanau with his loving family at his side.
Born in Schenectady, New York on November 29, 1948, Ed moved to Ferndale, Michigan with his family in 1952. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 52 years; his two beloved children—son Thomas Edward (Elizabeth) and daughter Anne Elizabeth; grandsons Owen and Oliver; brother Douglas Ruffley (Nit) of Troy, Michigan, and sister Janice ( John) Morton of Royal Oak, Michigan; cousins Janet Rich and Kathryn Richardson of Madison, Wisconsin; brother-in-law Michael (Karen) Kaminski of Riverview, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. Ed received his B.A. from Michigan State University in June, 1970. He and Mary were married on June 19, 1971 in East Lansing, Michigan. During their first four years of marriage, Ed served a total of two and half years in the United States Navy as a Line Officer aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34), homeported out of Alameda, California. He was discharged from active duty in 1975 as Lieutenant JG but remained in the United States Naval Reserve (at Broadhead in Detroit, Michigan) until 1989, honorably discharged as Lieutenant Commander.
After returning to Michigan, Ed earned his M.B.A. from MSU. He worked as a CPA for both public and private accounting firms until his retirement in 2011. Ed and Mary raised their family in southeast Michigan, treasuring family vacations hiking in America’s national parks. The American Southwest was a favorite destination. Family get-togethers with his sister, motorcycle trips with his brother, and visiting his Wisconsin cousins Died November 25, 2023 were other highlights.
