Ruby J. Kapsalis

Ruby J. Kapsalis, age 80, passed away peacefully at home on August 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A longtime resident of Seaside, California, Ruby leaves behind a profound

legacy of love, leadership, compassion, and a lifetime devoted to serving others. Born in Alabama in 1945 to Gladys and Alvie Black, Ruby was a woman of incredible strength, determination, and work ethic. She spent more than two decades in civil service, retiring from the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center on May 4, 1981. She shared 55 years of marriage, love, and devotion with her beloved husband, Arthur G. Kapsalis, until his passing in 2021.

Ruby’s greatest passion was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose family was the center of her life. Alongside her love for her family, Ruby dedicated nearly five decades to serving veterans, military families, and her community through the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA). Ruby joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 1976 through Monterey Cypress Unit 694. Her dedication to the organization spanned nearly 50 years and included leadership at the unit, district, and Department of California levels. She served as Unit President, Unit Secretary, Education Chairman, Americanism Chairman, Co-Editor of the Post/Unit Newspaper, and Unit Treasurer for 13 years.

At District 28, Ruby served as District Vice President, District President (1981–82), District Parliamentarian, District Treasurer, Audit Committee member, and District Secretary for nine years. She also served continuously with the ALA Department of California for 14 years, beginning with her first appointment in 1981–82. Her many chairmanships included Community Service, Foreign Relations, Legislative, Girls State, Americanism, Poppy, Education, Children and Youth, and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. Ruby’s extraordinary service was recognized with numerous Department and National ALA awards, including honors for Community Service, Americanism, Education, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, and Field Service. In 1991, Monterey Cypress Unit 694 honored her with a Unit Life Membership. Her years of leadership and dedication led her fellow members to proudly endorse her as a candidate for Vice President of the Department of California for 1995–96. Known as a patient mentor, trusted leader, and beacon of wisdom, Ruby deeply touched the lives of veterans, military families, friends, and countless members of her ALA community. Her greatest accomplishment, however, was the love she gave to her family and the example of service she left for future generations.

Reunited with Arthur, Ruby is survived by her loving children, Danny and Renee Kapsalis; daughter Gena and Rik Sagin; and son Andy and Maryann Kapsalis. She is also survived by her sisters, Glenda and Nell; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many cherished friends and members of her American Legion Auxiliary family. Ruby will be remembered for her unwavering love, generous heart, remarkable work ethic, and lifelong commitment to helping

others. Her legacy of service, leadership, and love will continue through the many lives she touched