Manuelo V. Ruiz

Born on December 27, 1939; Passed Away on November 14, 2020

Son of Claudia & Honorio Ruiz

Husband of Olympia De Guzman for 62 years

Brother of Honorio Ruiz Jr.

Father of Honorio, Lourdes and Michael

Grandfather of Jake Fish, Nicolas, Michael, Anna, Christian, Owen, Ryder and Madelyn

His younger years had not been an easy one. At the age of seven, his dad was killed, body never found. The story told through the years was that it was a crime of jealousy and envy. Understandably, it was a story he did not speak of all too often if at all. His mother widowed at a very young age now left to raise two boys on a teacher’s salary. Given the economics of the time and the country, financial hardship became all too familiar to him and his family.

In spite of all these overwhelming challenges at a very young age, he managed to put himself through high school and college. He found work in his uncle’s home in exchange for minimal wage, room and board. With much determination, he put himself through college, and in fact attended one of the top universities in the Philippines (University of Santo Thomas). He graduated with a degree in Architecture and at the top of his class. Also, he received the third highest ranking in the entire country after taking the architectural board exam. It is also at this time that he met Olympia de Guzman, the love of his life, who would become his wife of 62 years.

After getting married, they settled in their hometown Munoz, in the province of Nueva Ecija. Manny became the lead architect with CLSU- Central Luzon State University where to this day, many of the buildings still standing had been his vision, his design, and his creation. His wife Olympia owned a storefront where she bought and sold in bulk various grains to farmers and storeowners. They were surrounded by family and friends, and now with three children, their lives continued to thrive.

In the early 1970’s a life changing decision would face the family. The political climate in the Philippines was very volatile to say the least, and martial law looming. He was determined to find a better life for his family, better opportunities for his three children, and more importantly, a safe place to live. The place was to be the United States of America, more specifically in the city of Chicago. They settled here for 32 years. There were certainly many highs and lows, but once again, with will and determination, and faith in God, they worked through it all. As the years passed, their family continued to grow with several grandchildren now ever present in their lives- Nico, Mikey, Anna, Christian, Owen, and later Ryder, Maddy, and Jake. Their grandchildren became the light of their lives and most certainly for Manny. Just as he was with his children, there was nothing he would not do for any of them, any time, anywhere.

In 2004, there was to be another life changing decision. Manny and Olympia decided that work life and Chicago snow was going to be the thing of the past and retirement in Las Vegas, NV was now in their future. Fast forward to sixteen years later they made their lives in Las Vegas. The warm weather suited them well. They found a community of Filipino friends where Friday and Saturday nights became their Palm Casino nights. These friendships have proven to be great support and lifelong companions. Later, their two sons Mike and Joe would join them, along with Gloria, a friend of the family who now has become the “adopted daughter”. Their presence had proven to be a true blessing this past year, and most especially the past few weeks when Manny’s health decline became evident and managing his needs challenging due to his dementia and parkinsonism.

Manny died on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 1:14pm.

Manuelo, Manny, Maning, Grampa Manny, Tatay (a term of endearment to mean my Dad in Tagalog) as he was referred to is our dad, our Tatay (Tay). Growing up, we looked up to him. He gave us this sense that somehow whatever may be wrong can be fixed because Tay was around, and almost always, he did just that. Hard work, will, and determination are qualities that resonate in our minds when we think of dad. That said they were also qualities that served often times to be the most challenging between he and our family. Whatever challenges we may have had with him were certainly trumped by his love and dedication to us as a family, and the unconditional love he demonstrated to his grandchildren was second to none. He was ever so proud of every single one of them. He would talk of them often to anyone who would listen. More importantly he loved our mom deeply. We are blessed to have had the pleasure of having Manny as our dad for 82 years. He will forever be etched in our hearts, and we will miss him terribly.

We love you Tay.