Benedicto "Benny" Ruiz

Benedicto Ruiz "Benny" passed away at home on May 8, 2026 at the age of 72.  He was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on August 31st, 1953 to Antonio Ruiz Lucena and Maria Roman Ruiz. 

His parents moved to Philadelphia when Benny was a little boy to build a life for their family. He was the third oldest of 10 children. Benny and his siblings were raised in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. He lived there all his life until the last few years where he spent his golden years in an independent living community where he was quite popular despite being a man of few words. 

Benny was a hard worker and a laborer, having worked on farms, in landscape and alongside his brothers Joey and Stanley in general contracting. Benny was a simple man - his days could be described as drinking coffee, watching the daily news, smoking his Marlboro Reds, and talking on the phone with his sisters Migdalia and Margie who drove him nuts, but whom he shared a deep bond with.  

Benny was preceded in death by his parents Antonio and Maria Ruiz, his brothers Luis Ruiz, Fernando Ruiz, Joseph "Joey" Ruiz (Rachel), his sisters Elizabeth "Liz" Aponte (Ralph Sr.) and Monscerate "Margie" Fischer (Bernard), his sister-in-law Margie Galdo (Stanley) and his nephew Anthony Lopez. He is survived by his brother Stanley Ruiz and his sisters Marta Roman (Luis), Kathleen "Kathy" Ruiz (Pete Del Valle) and Migdalia Ruiz (Lidscha). Benny loved all of his siblings deeply. Though Benny did not have children of his own, he leaves behind many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, many of whom he has a beloved "mama's floral couch covered in plastic" photo of him holding them as a baby or toddler.  

Benny's niece Yasmine (Dustin) and younger sister Migdalia cared for Benny over the years and navigated his complex healthcare needs and honored his wishes up until his death. Benny also leaves behind a companion in his great-nephew Jaxon, aged 7, who loved his Tio Benny so much and who is just as much of a "grumpy old man" as his great-uncle.

The Riverside Presbyterian Apartment community will surely miss talking with Benny outside while smoking a cigarette, especially his dear friend Sandy and most of all, his amazing home health-aid Tia who cared for Benny and helped him live life again up until his death. 

Family and friends are welcome to his viewing Monday May 18, 2026 beginning at 10am in St. Peter the Apostle Church 1019 N. 5th Street Philadelphia, PA 19123, followed by his funeral mass at 11am. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 

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