Benjamin E Ruzo

Benjamin Ruzo was born in Cabanatuan City in the Philippines on January 12, 1950, son of the late Paulino and Felisa Ruzo. He was the third of six siblings, living a humble but carefree rural life where he loved harvesting vegetables and raising farm animals. That said, Benjamin was not content and had ambitions for better opportunities and a more rewarding life not only for himself but his future family. Hence, after finishing college and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, he enlisted in the US Navy. During a brief break from his assignment at the Navy, he visited his sister Zeny at Saint Louis University in Baguio, Philippines, where he met the love his life Alice Devera. After a year courtship, they got married on July 30, 1978.

Shortly thereafter, Benjamin took his wife and his first born son, Alvin to the United States where they began realizing the "American Dream" in the early 80s. A few years later, his second child Cheryll was born and Benjamin had fulfilled his lifelong dream of having his own family in the United States. His twenty-year career in the Navy took him to many corners of the world, including Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Italy and many more. He was awarded multiple medals and decorations, including two Navy "E" Awards, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Multiple Good Conduct Awards and many more. After twenty years, he retired from the US Navy in Good Standing, while being a mentor and leader to many others.

After enjoying a year of retirement life, Benjamin was employed with the City of San Diego in the Waste Water Management Department, where he worked another 20 years dedicating his talents and intelligence to the city that he loved. Also during this period, he was able to support his children in their multiple activities, attending many of their tennis tournaments, drama performances, colorguard performances, dance performances and fundraising efforts to name a few. His proudest moments was being able to see his children graduate from College and Graduate School, Walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, and most recently, being able to see the birth of his first grandchild, Chace Sayson.

Benjamin lived an extraordinary life. He was a brilliant man with so much to offer. He could strike a conversation with a stranger and probably talk their ear off. During the last five years of his life, he visited his family back home in the Philippines on an annual basis, enjoyed his morning walks with the walking crew, spending quality time with his grandson, talking politics and indulging in horse racing. Benjamin will be missed immensely, but he will live on through his wife, son, daughter and grandchildren.

A visitation for Benjamin will be held Monday, January 3, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Glen Abbey Magnolia Room, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 4, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Corpus Christi, 450 Corral Canyon Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A luncheon reception will be followed from 12:45PM 3:45PM after the burial at Gerry's Grille located at 3050 Plaza Bonita Rd, National City, CA 91950.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Ruzo family.