| JUNE 9, 2011 -- Raising tobacco, growing strawberries, working with wood- sounds like an unusual combination of interests, but these are some of the things which always bring Frank Ruff to mind.
“Ruff” by name- and also by nature, his strong opinions sometimes intimidated people but when you got to know him, you discovered he was a pussy cat at heart. Frank told it like it was, but his thoughts, actions and decisions were always in the best interests of the Grange. He knew our Order inside and out and was strict about doing things the correct way.
Frank joined Hillstown Grange in 1929 and served in many positions including Master a number of times. He was Master of East Central Pomona. He was extremely proud of being elected to the State Grange Executive Committee in 1964 and served until his death in 1979.
With his wife, Kay, and their pride and joy, daughter Kathy, the Ruffs were an active Grange family and from the time Kathy was three they traveled extensively across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
When Frank returned from service in the Air Force in WWII, he became owner of Broadleaf Farms, which he operated for nearly 50 years in the town where he spent his entire life, Glastonbury, Connecticut. He raised just about every vegetable and supplied local truck farms.
His winter pastime was woodworking. He made foot stools and benches and was generous giving them away. He built most of the furniture in the Ruff home including three desks- one for each of the family.
Many of us were pleased to receive pieces of his beautiful woodworking, or gifts of the biggest juicy strawberries, or to enjoy his sweet corn which he firmly believed wasn’t fit to eat if it had been picked longer than two hours previously.
In 1972 his health began to fail. Just before his passing he was presented with his Golden Sheaf and pin at Hartford Hospital by then State Master, Frank Warner.
Yes, many things help us recall this good man and his loves– first his family- followed by the farm, the Grange and traveling. Do remember him! |
