Falmouth & Cumberland, ME- Louis H. “Joe” Ruby, 88 passed peacefully at the Gosnell House on March 14, 2022 with the love of his life, Bonnie (Barbara Low) of Windham, formally of Cumberland, by his side. He was the 4th child of Georgianna (Watson) and Ernest Ruby of Falmouth. He spent his childhood in Falmouth and was a graduate of Falmouth High School. He earned his nickname,”Joe”, from being a little fighter as a kid and nicknamed after Joe Louis, the fighter. He and Bonnie were married for 37 years and enjoyed spending many years in Citrus Springs, Fl., returning to Maine due to declining health. They enjoyed golfing, hosting family and friends and playing a mean card game. Cribbage being a favorite and hard to beat. He loved golfing, bowling, snowmobiling in Eustis at the camp he built with two of his longtime friends, and boating with family and friends, lunching with the guys at Harmons. He also left his prized El Camino to his son Larry and grandson Lee to enjoy for many more years.
Joe was a worker all his life, first at Falmouth Country Club under his Dad the Head Greenskeeper and Thornhurst Dairy. He spent many years working for Larry Barnes at his Sunoco Station in Falmouth, and sailing yachts up and down the eastern seaboard. In 1959, he started L.H. Ruby Paving and Landscaping which eventually became L.H. Ruby and Son bringing in Larry and Bobbie.
He also purchased the Citgo Station on Rt.88 in Falmouth. He was known for plowing in the winter, a substitute school bus driver or driving dynamite trucks for Ray Lund. Later he was often found riding his lawn tractor on his lawn or a neighbor’s in Florida. His final job was at 80, working at the Citrus Springs Recycling Center. His strong work ethic was instilled in his children’s careers as well.
Joe was a lifetime member of the Falmouth Fire Department and instrumental in the town purchase of the first ladder truck. He wa a founding member and served one year as president of the Falmouth Jaycees. Joe was a strong supporter of Falmouth Little League, sponsoring teams for many years with his friend, Fred Chase. He was a proud member of the Masons, Odd Fellows and Shriners. If there was a volunteer construction project in the town of Falmouth, he was generally involved.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Ernie and Lloyd and sister Judy Clements, his youngest daughter Sally Davies and grandson Trevor Davies, sons in law Steven Frost & Marc Mead and 1st wife Beverly (Baird). He leaves behind his beloved wife Bonnie, his daughters Ellen (Daryl) Quinn of Cumberland, Joyce Frost of Westbrook, Lawrence (Sherry) Ruby, Kimberly (Christopher Duffy) Mead, Cindy (Pasquale) Popola all of Windham, Beth (Dan) Dewinal of Lisbon and Robert (Nancy) of Limington, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sisters Donna (Bill) Hoffman, NJ, Lillian (Wallace) Savage of FL. Brother in law Thomas Low and wife Carol of North Yarmouth.
A visiting hour will be held from 10-11 am on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 am. A reception at the funeral home will follow.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Joe’s online guest book.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners or Gosnell Hospice House Scarborough.
