William F Ruksnaitis

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of William "Rocky" Ruksnaitis, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all whose lives he touched, on December 21, 2024, after an illness. Born on August 9, 1951, in Worcester, MA, William was a beacon of strength and joy, a testament to living life to the fullest. He graduated from Worcester Technical High School (formally known as Worcester Boys' Trade High School) and then served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1970-1976 followed by the Massachusetts Air National Guard from 1976-1978.

Rocky was a man of many passions. His professional life saw him excel for over 30 years at New England Telephone Company as a lineman who worked his way up to an Operations Manager at Verizon, but it was his personal interests that truly showcased the depth of his character. An aficionado of aviation, motorcycles, classic cars, and jazz music, Rocky embraced the thrill of life, the adventure it promised. A lively interest in politics kept him engaged with the world, while the tranquility of his home in Florida and the rhythmic music of the beach offered him peace. Later in life, he developed an appreciation for nature, including a love for all animals and in particular bird watching at his homes in Massachusetts and Florida. His love for these hobbies was only surpassed by his love for his family. Rocky's marriage to Diane Ruksnaitis on August 28, 2004, brought him immense happiness, a joy that was evident in the life they built together.

Rocky's spirit will be carried on by the love of his life, his wife Diane. His children Christopher Ruksnaitis (wife Kristie) , Jonathan Ruksnaitis (partner Sylvia Galanek), and Luke Ruksnaitis (partner Tinsa Harding), and stepchildren Lauren Parrilla (husband Ruben) and Leanne Killeen (husband Ryan) will also carry on his memory. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Dean, Devin, Hailey, Winter, and Ruben. His sisters Rosemary Yurewicz, Christine Caldwell, and Julie White (husband Kevin), along with a God-daughter, Sabrina Caldwell, and numerous nieces and nephews will also mourn his loss. Rocky was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Nellie Ruksnaitis and sister Nancy Ruksnaitis.

Borrowing words from the Catholic verse, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4). Rocky's departure leaves us mourning, but in his memory, we find comfort. We celebrate his life, his spirit, and the love he shared. Please join us for a remembrance and viewing on December 30th from 9:30-10:30 am at Mack Family Funeral Homes in Gardner, MA. Catholic Mass to follow at 11:00 am at St. Edward the Confessor in Westminster, MA followed by burial at Woodside Cemetery in Westminster.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor & Dan Serina, Funeral Directors.

We encourage you to share your favorite memories of Rocky and upload photos to www.mackfamilyfh.com. Your stories and pictures will serve as a testament to the remarkable life that William "Rocky" Ruksnaitis lived, a life that touched so many others. We remember him not with sorrow, but with the joy he brought into our lives, and the love he shared so generously.