Latee Goombada, we love and miss you very much.  Thanks for all the things you did for us. Till the next time we meet.
You are truly  one of the Best ah one ahs

I will NEVER forget dear dear Micahel . I met you on your birthday at the White Elephant .
You kept the cocktail napkin...that was YOU.
There was no one more considerate or compassionate. 
The life you had was a blessing ....with its many challenges including major surgery. Your sudden death much to soon was G d s blessing to you. 
You left in a split second ...no long term suffering or hospital vigils. As devastating as that was Michael you deserved that end. We are still reeling at you loss since we had no formal good bye.  I remember your last good bye to me as you always said it.   See ya soon Rosie. ..
Always in my heart

Mr. Ruisi has been a gentleman I've thought about almost annually for the past 20-23years, especially since September 11th, 2001.

In late-March of 1998 my parents took my brother, sister, & I to New York City for the first time.  It was a gift for my 21st birthday which occurred a month earlier.  One of the highlights of the trip was to see Titanic on Broadway (at the Lunt-Fontaine Theater).  So for our weekend trip my dad decided to book a room for us at the World Trade Center Marriott (3WTC).  On what I believe was the last day of the trip, I was wearing my White Star Line - Crew Member T-Shirt (I was interested in everything Titanic related since I was a little kid).  Anyway, while we were standing in the middle of the lobby, out of the blue, this very nice  gentleman calls me over to the Concierge Desk and asks me about my shirt, he tells me how he is also very much a Titanic history buff, and we strike up a little conversation.  He also shows me his awesome Titanic Fossil watch.  At the end of our conversation he gave me his business card, which I've always kept as a souvenir of my trip.  When we got back home, I found the Titanic Watch Mr. Ruisi had shown me, & I ordered once for myself.  

When the September 11th attacks happened, I remember thinking several times throughout that day... I wonder if that nice man I spoke with in 1998 made it out ok?  I was very happy to see Mr. Ruisi was not among the list of 9/11 victims.  Occasionally, I look to see what became of him.  I haven't checked in several years, but with this being the 20th anniversary, I had been reflecting more heavily on 9/11 & the WTC this year.  So I was sad to see his obituary this year when I searched.  

I just wanted to take a minute to post my memory of Mr. Ruisi to show that even though Im only a person he interacted with for maybe 5-10mins of his life, he is someone I still think of, and I will always remember that nice man who talked to me about Titanic stuff in 1998.  

I met Michael when I was an assistant manager at a NYC hotel.  Our friendship was brief one, maybe a few months, as I was unhappy working there and eventually I resigned. 

Michael made my  last few months at that hotel bearable with his laughter, discussions about his love of musical comedy and “I Love Lucy”.

So sad that he is gone.  My condolences to Philip and his family.

John P Watts



I wrote a short note BUT it was simply not enough. HOWEVER all the paper on the planet not the storage of a computer can hold all the emotions I wish to express. My sorrow is hard to express HOW to wrap my head around the fact that I will no longer see you when I travel to Vegas or when you come East. So many surprises you and Al.planned to see me at varied places unedpected...GOTCHA you d say.  Your donning the waiters Jacket and bringing me a cocktail years ago was one of my fondest memories of your ingenuity in that regard.  I was able to return the favor before COVID by showing up at your Concierge area.  I ASKED ONE colleague to let ya know a guest was out side asking to see him .well the smile on your face was my way to say GOTCHA.  

I have known Michael 44 years he was one of my dearest closest friends NEVER to be forgotten.  These proceedings I attended were like nothing I had ever seen so well done.  A proper fitting good bye to an amazing human being .

I can’t even express how much I loved my Uncle Mikey. He brought so much fun and light to my life. From dancing feet, to songs and stories of the family, I really had the best two uncles in the world. This wasn't his time to go.  My Uncle Mikey always was up for an adventure. Always excited to try new food. No matter what, he was always there for everyone. Thank you for giving me the zest for life. For  instilling in me servant leadership.  I could count on you to have a fun time, to share a fun story or just sit with and watch Judge Judy with you. I miss you so dearly. The last year was stolen from us but, The last time I saw you I brought you anisette cookies, hoping for the Uncles approval. The last time we spoke was about the Sicilian pizza I had tried from a new place. I will miss and love you forever. Tell Dad that I'm doing okay, tell him I moved to Vegas, tell grandpa to have a tatzi and some pie for me. Watch over me, and check in every once in a while. 
I love you forever. 
Your niece, 
Amber Looney

Mike and I met in Parsons Junior High School and we hit it off right away, both having the same sense of humor. After school we would go home and then talk on the phone every day while watching Match Game and I Love Lucy.  When we started Jamaica High School I would walk to his house first so we could walk the rest of the way together, laughing all the way. Such a fun friend. And talented too, getting the lead in Anything Goes.  I didn’t even know he could sing !  Although he had that outgoing personality you need in show business. 

For some reason we lost touch after high school.  For years I would go to Las Vegas, staying at Bellagio sometimes 3 times a year, never knowing Mike was there. A couple of years ago our friend Susan told me where Mike worked. Very small world, but big enough never to run into him by accident. I really looked forward to reconnecting next time we were there. I told my wife Laura how much she would like him. Everyone did. We spoke on the phone and it was the same Mike I knew and loved from those many years ago. Life is funny sometimes in very unfunny ways.  Miss you Mike. But I can still hear your laugh. 

I guess it’s real that you are gone. I miss you so much. I miss seeing your face on the morning’s when I walk in the office. I miss your big laugh. I miss our constant back and forth we had that no one understood but us. I miss hearing you call me baby. I miss you asking about your “black grandbaby”. I miss helping you up but still giving you a hard time about it. I’ve never met anyone like you in my life. I love you forever and always. Until we meet again my O.W.G man. We love you!

My heart is full of gratitude for all we were blessed to share.
You will always hold a place in my heart.
I will never forget you…

Michael was one of the most beautiful souls I have ever meet. Anyone who knew Micheal loved him. He is greatly missed and will always. My thoughts are with Phil, family and everyone who loved Michael.  This is a picture of a happier time at Bellagio. Love you Michael.❤

How can this be, we grew up together.  I’ve known you since 1977, through the ups and downs in life.

I am still in shock. I am back on the roller coaster of grief, holding on. How can this be? How do I try to put into words how I feel?

I do know, I am grateful for the memories we have of all the good times, and fun, and laughter we shared. Lord knows there are so many. They fill our hearts. They will keep you here forever with all of us. 

And I know one day we will reminisce with each other, and we will share the stories with tears of joy and so much laughter.
Mikey you are so loved and missed. Send me a sign every now and then . ♥️
Love you 
Barbeara

Michael was the finest person I have ever met in my life.  His soul was pure and giving.   He was boundless in his love for his friends and family.  I now enter the era without him and I am truly saddened by this lost.  My heart goes out to all of his friends and family who will miss him as much as I do.  Michael was a one of a kindest person and I am so sorry his loss.   

Kevin and Patty

What I Will Miss…


Our morning ritual, getting toast ready in time for the Today show 7 am start.

Arguing the merits of butter versus jam on the toast.
 
Debating whether the toast is too light or too dark.

Letting the furry kids lick butter off our fingertips.

The ‘promise to be careful’ whenever one of us left the house.

The “how is your day going?” texts and messages.

Having you call me for reservations all the time because you wanted your guests to receive VIP treatment.

The ‘on my way home, how was your day?’ call at 6 pm.  It made even a bad day better.

The weekend meals.

Shopping for the weekend meals. 

When you would take photos of our food to share with others. 

Short naps on the ‘quarantine’ couch.

Longer naps on the ‘quarantine’ couch.

Long ass naps on the ‘quarantine’ couch…. you liked those best.

Grilled cheese and soup on rainy days – all three times a year!

Watching you dance outside in the rain – all three times a year!

Your canny impersonations and accents – always used at the right time. 

Caring for our parents together.

The joy in hearing you speak to your mom.

Sharing everything. Even stupid things…

Watching you derive joy from the smallest pleasures. 
 
Calling each other outside to see a big harvest moon.
 
You brushing the kitties on the couch while watching sitcoms at night.

Your ‘be good’ cup of cereal at night topped with peanut butter and honey.

Our all too frequent ‘be bad’ ice cream concoctions that cancelled out the cereal.

Remembering ‘the good old days’ - and being grateful that we were still here together.

The protection, security and comfort expressed in your one glance to me.

Watching you crack up at anything funny - you shoulders shaking up and down, your backward side step with you mouth covered to hide the roar of laughter.

The glint in your eye that always told me you loved me, and that everything would be okay.

Walking up the stairs at night, side by side, so that we could feel better that we still fit.

The better half of my heart, that is gone forever.

My words alone cannot express how much I will miss you. You often were there for me when I had no one to turn to. I felt that no matter how far and how strange my journey in life was to be, as long as I was anchored to you, I could not fail, I would not get lost, and I would always be safe and loved.

I want you to know how loved you were, and how we sit around and reminisce, laugh, and cry, and then do it all over again. All the things that we are supposed to do, the things that we've always done well as a family. My sister Amber said it best, the past year, the last year, was stolen from us and it makes it even harder to say goodbye.

I love you ever so dearly and I hope you knew that, and there is a larger than life, genuinely kind and hysterically funny, who knew EVERY story, this enormous integral character is missing from our family. We will love an cherish our memories of you always.

Love you Tio.

MP

To the best Goombata anyone could ever have:

Thank you for being such an integral part of our family the last 40 years. Your smile and infectious laugh lit up any room you entered. Your imitations were priceless  and would brighten up any day. You were caring, giving and loyal. You gave of yourself to many in their hour of need doing God's work for the sick and needy.

As for what you did for mom and dad, we could never repay you. You were a godsent for them making their lives easier, funnier and a lot less stressful as they grew older.
Your family, friends and associates are deeply saddened; but I can hear you now telling us from heaven : "It's all good, no worries." That's the kind of person you were.
Thanks for letting us be a part of your circle for all these years.

Godspeed Goombata. We love you.

Michael and I met in September, 1974 during our first week at Jamaica High School. We were introduced twice, which I took as an omen that we were destined to be friends. We would hang out on the front steps in the morning and walk together to the bus stop at the end of the school day.  Hanging out at each other's homes was very common.

We did have a couple of gaps when we were out of touch, the second one lasting over 30 years.  Each time we reconnected, it was as if we were never out of touch, we just fell back into our close friendship. The two of us could not go through a conversation without one or both of us laughing. 

During the last few years, we had been closer than ever, exchanging texts, emails and occasional phone calls multiple times a day,  I would send Mike funny things I found online and he would tell me about the crazy things the hotel guests would do and what they would ask him, like one man who asked him how to propose to his girlfriend. 

Mike loved New York and missed the food here.  I loved to tease him by sending him pictures of New York pizza, White Castle and food places on the Lower East Side, like bialys and pickles. He said he was envious and that he was living vicariously through me.

Mike and I were a lot alike and understood each other, quirks and all.  We could talk about anything and everything, or just enjoy a comfortable silence, Mike and I would joke that if he was straight and Jewish, we would have made a great couple. Sorry, Phil.

I am still having trouble accepting that one of my closest friends is gone, that I will never see his smiling face or hear his hearty laugh again. I miss him  dearly.  Life isn't the same without Michael in it.

I was very lucky to work on two separate occasions at WOW with Michael. After we first opened and again after the re-opening. l knew Michael as a warm personable man. Highly intelligent, professional and very humorous. So easy to draw close to. Michael and Philip made a hell of a team. RIP Michael, you made the world a better place.


I miss you so much. I miss our daily emails. I miss your smile. You will always be in and part of my heart.  You showed me what it is to truly love a person.  My heart aches without your presence. The years we spent together I will cherish. I hope I can do you proud in what is left of my life. Till we see each other again. 

Love always & forever 
Jim

I first met Mike when we started sophmore year at Jamaica High School. We were in the health careers program. Mike was always happy and upbeat. He always made me smile even though it was way too early in the morning to be happy. Even though we lost touch after graduation I'm grateful that I got to reconnect with him recently after our mutual friend Susan Schwartz  reconnected. He will be missed.

Words cannot express my deep sadness at the loss of Michael, a beautiful soul, taken far too soon. 

Michael and Philip “The Boys” you helped me and cared for me when I needed it the most, and for that I will be eternally grateful. 
Michael touched so many lives, on so many different levels. His infectious laugh made us all feel happy, his smile could light up a room. 

He left a legacy of love, kindness and compassion for all. We need more Michaels in the world.

My love always.


I was so blessed Michael to have you in my life! We had good days and we had some rough days and you always lifted me up when I was down.  Michael your smile and your heart gave much love! What was so amazing is we could look at each other and know what the other was thinking and then we would burst out laughing! We were all family in the Concierge  department.  I will never forget my visit last year when we embraced and told each other how much we loved one another!  A very special time! Michael, thank you for the wonderful memories that will stay with me forever! ❤️

Michael, 
You gave me your love of life, spontaneous and abiding sense of the outrageousness of things, deep and unwavering commitment to what you believed in, compassion that was not only deeply felt but more importantly, acted upon and fully visible, your sense of protection and I will give these things to others in the way I live my life.

“Nothing is as strong as real gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength “

Will always deeply admire, love and miss you; praying everyday for Phil and your families.
Maryanne Scully


46 years of love and laughter, sharing the ups and downs and everything in between. With you I found a kindred spirit. Our hearts were always open to each other and we were free to just be our truest selves. With you I always felt safe, loved and cared for. You have always held a most special and sacred place in my heart. I am filled with gratitude for our time together sharing the journey. I never dreamed you would travel over the rainbow before me. But there you are and here I am… Missing you… Until we meet again.
Lois a.k.a. Dorothy

Mi Miguelito, Daddy, Papi Chulo, Esposo de Trabajo, Ruisi, Mikey, Soulsista! Oh, the laughter of the many names we had for one another!!!!  How thankful am I to have been blessed with such a beautiful soul  these past twenty three years!!! I am also thankful for the impact you have made in my life, and the love,  joy,  and compassion you brought to my mother, father and siblings. I remember how we laughed when we talked about how you were my mother’s boyfriend and my father’s son! Do I call you dad? uncle? or brother???  Thank YOU, Phil and Jim for the love I now have for New York! Yes, I love it more than California!  I am eternally grateful for the many happy memories, the  “I Love Lucy”  trivia, our “Press Plays” and the laughter to the point of gasping for air and wetting my pants.  You always tried to make me  do  the pee, pee dance!!! Mikey, I will reflect on the many memories we shared with you to bring us joy during this difficult time without you. This is not goodbye!!  I “KNOW” we will see each other again!  Love, Dela

My Dearest Papi Chulo...such a joy in our lives..sweetest..and kind soul...I will forever miss you talking to me in a deep NY accent....Jaja!..always made my day ..no matter how bad it got...always with a smile..Til we meet again my friend.. "Gracias, Papi Chulo"..for everthing.

To my very special friend, you will always be in my heart and prayers, from La Signora

 I will always remember the laughs we shared and the countless memories I have of you through the years! Until we meet again! 

The world will never be the same without our sweet, kind, thoughtful friend Michael aka "Mikey" "Old Man" "Sweetcheeks" From the day I met Michael in 2001, I knew I had a forever friend. You are greatly missed sweet cheeks but I know you will be watching over us and saying "Let's go make the Bastards Happy!" I love you to the moon and back and repeat. Love, Angie

You were the light of my life. I don't know how I am gonna move on with my life without you. I'm still hoping this is a bad dream that I cannot wake up out of. I miss you so much.

OBITUARY

Michael Stephen Ruisi

January 29, 1959 – March 6, 2021

Palm Southwest Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services