Joseph Anthony Ruoto, IV

Joe was born on January 17, 1973 to Joseph A. Ruoto III and Florence Ruoto of New Jersey, where he grew up before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Joe moved to Nashville to work in the music industry for a number of years before settling down in central Virginia with his family. Joe served as a project manager across several companies, most recently at The Office of Advancement for The University of Virginia. On the side, Joe used his computer expertise to create and manage websites for local businesses, and kept in touch with his musical prowess by releasing two Christian EPs, serving as the leader of the praise team at Vision of Hope United Methodist Church since 2006, and creating free tutorials online to spread his knowledge and love of guitar. Regardless of what Joe set out to do, his goal was always to bring people together, share knowledge, and spread kindness through his work.

Joe was not only an extremely dedicated worker, but a deeply loving father who would stop at nothing to provide for his three children, instilling in them the value of faith, diligence, kindness, and family. He encouraged his kids to live for their passions and supported their creative pursuits unwaveringly. Most crucially, Joe led by example in teaching the importance of helping others. Family, friends, and colleagues knew Joe as someone who was always willing to lend a hand, and he was able to witness his kindness repaid in the outpouring of support following his diagnosis with stage four glioblastoma in early 2024.

Joe’s cheerful disposition, deceptively sly wit, and incredible kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His life is a testament that no matter the circumstances or hardships encountered in the course of living, it is possible to spread positivity, do right by others, and live meaningfully with the desire to spread love. Joe has left many to carry on his memory, including his loving parents, Joseph A. Ruoto III and Florence Ruoto, his sister, Christina Ruoto, his three children, Cole, Canyon, & Corryn Ruoto, his three cherished cats, and a very lonely guitar collection.

Three services will be held for Joe: the first on Thursday, January 16th, at Vision of Hope United Methodist Church, starting at 7pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Kimpton The Forum Hotel on UVA Grounds on Friday, January 17th, from 2pm-4pm. Finally, friends and family can attend a funeral Mass at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton, South Carolina, on Friday, March 14th, at 10:30am.