HERKIMER- Herbert C. Ruff, age 90, passed away on Friday morning, October 31, 2014 at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica. Herb was born in Niagara Falls, on November 28, 1923, the son of the late Alexander and Wilihemia Schultz Ruff. A 1941 graduate of Niagara Falls High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 20, 1942 and was honorably discharged on September 24, 1945 after WWII had ended. He was united in marriage to Hope E. Tyler on June 23, 1945 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls. The couple shared in 68 plus years of love and devotion. He was employed by Moore Business Forms, Inc. for 21 years in Niagara Falls. In 1966 he transferred to Quakertown, PA to assist in the start-up of a new Plant and Management Training, Quality Control and Supervision. Hebert was a communicant of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and a 26 year member of the Herkimer Elks Lodge # 1439 B.P.O.E. He volunteered for many years at the Herkimer Community Thanksgiving Day Dinners and the Shepherds Table. He was active in all sports and was a outstanding handball and racquetball player, winning many championships in New York and Pennsylvania in both sports. While serving in WWII, he saw action in both the European and Pacific Theatres as a radioman aboard the Destroyer and DMS USS Hobson. He took part in the D-Day Invasion and his ship was the closest destroyer to the beach where it was engaged with German shore batteries. During the fight for Okinawa his ship took part in the greatest sea-air battle in history and while his ship was on a radar picket line of Okinawa it was hit by a Japanese suicide plane. The many decorations he received were: Eupropean-Africian-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Ribbon Bar with 4 Bronze Stars, Navy European Occupation Service Medal (with Clasp), Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Amphibious Forces Insignia, State of New York Conspicuous Service Star, State of New York Medal for Merit, Proclamation from the Congress of the United States and WWII Victory Medal. He is survived by his loving wife, Hope, his dear son, Gary and daughter-in-law, Karen, five very loved grandchildren, Lisa Woods and husband Jim of Averill Park, Jennifer Olds and husband Garrett of Ilion, Sara Lamanna and husband Joe of Herkimer, Erik Ruff and wife Jennifer of Charlotte, NC, and Laura Scalise and husband Dominick of Herkimer. Cherished great-grandchild, Alex and Megan Woods of Averill Park, Bryce, Kaden and Luca Olds of Ilion, Jacob and Nicholas Lamanna, Geno, Isabella and Anthony Scalise of Herkimer, Ethan and Ella Ruff of Charlotte, NC. A special niece, Kathy Ebdon and her family of Aurora, CO. Herb was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Agnes Ruff. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will always be remebered for his kindness and love that he provided to all of them. He was very proud of all his family. The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Ashok Patel, MD Daniel Berg, MD, and Paula Vecchio, MD, Nurse Practitioners Susan Hamo and Kathleen Marollo at the St. Elizabeth's Marion Building, the staf at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica and the Saint Elizabeth Mohawk Center for their professional and personal care given to Herbert. Funeral service for Mr. Ruff will be held on Monday morning at 10:00 am in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 443 Henry Street, Herkimer. The Reverend Ann Zimmerman pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors accorded by the US Navy to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Trinity Evangical Lutheran Church, Herkimer. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Calling Hours Fenner Funeral Home Sunday, November 2, 2014 04:00 AM - 07:00 PM 115 Court Street Herkimer, NY 13350 Funeral Service Trinity Evangical Lutheran Church Monday, November 3, 2014 10:00 AM 443 Henry Street Herkimer, NY 13350