John Ruzinsky

John Ruzinsky, 69, died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at an Abilene medical center. The son of Hilda (Schatz) and Anthony John Ruzinsky, John was born in Hamtramck, Michigan on November 21, 1943 and graduated from Edwin Denby High School in Detroit in 1961. Mr. Ruzinsky entered the United States Air Force in July, 1961. After basic training at Lackland AFB (San Antonio) Texas he was assigned to Geiger Field (Spokane) Washington. Subsequent assignments were Kalamath AFB (Requa) California; McChord AFB (Tacoma) Washington; Bien Hoa AB, Republic of South Vietnam; Tinker AFB (Oklahoma City) Oklahoma; Richards-Gebaur AFB (Kansas City) Missouri; Albrook AFB (Panama Canal Zone) Panama; Offutt AFB (Omaha) Nebraska; Hessisch Oldendorf AS (Hessisch Oldendorf) Germany and Bergstrom AFB (Austin) Texas. As a civilian, he was assigned to Scott AFB (Belleville) Illinois and Dyess AFB (Abilene) Texas. In 48 years, he was assigned to Air Training Command, Air Defense Command three times, 25th Air Division, Pacific Air Forces, 7th Air Force, Air Force Communications Service twice, United States Air Forces Southern, Strategic Air Command, United States Air Forces Europe, Tactical Air Command, Air Force Communications Command, Air Force Management Engineering Agency, Federal Executive Board of St. Louis, United States Transportation Command and Air Combat Command. During his military and civilian careers, Mr. Ruzinsky worked in the chapel management, administrative and manpower career fields. As a civilian, he had worked as a management analyst and program analyst. Mr. Ruzinsky earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and a Masters of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development. Throughout his years in civil service, Mr. Ruzinsky was recognized for his superior performance and accomplishments. He earned numerous Sustained Superior Performance Awards, and won the Air Combat Command Manpower and Organization Professional Excellence Award for Senior Installation Manpower Officers in 1999, 2006, 2007 and 2008. His assignments at Dyess include the 7th Bomb Wing Staff, 7th Mission Support Squadron and 7th Force Support Squadron. Mr. Ruzinsky was a volunteer both on-base and off-base. He was assigned to the Federal Executive Board of St. Louis, Missouri in 1991-1992 to run the Greater St. Louis Area Combined Federal Campaign and served as the Chairman, Combined Federal Campaign for Central West Texas in 2006 and 2007. Mr. Ruzinsky married the former Nancy Williams of Winters, Texas on January 11, 1963 in Coeur d’Alene. His parents and brother, Frank Ruzinsky preceded John in death. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Ruzinsky of Abilene; son, John T. Ruzinsky and fiancée Jodi Burchfield of Abilene; and three grandchildren, Kelsey Burgess, Mark Ruzinsky and Christopher Ruzinsky. John is also survived by Anita Cucchiarra and husband Joe of Detroit, MI, Vicki Bielski and husband Gary of Collinsville, IL, Ronald Ruzinsky of Jeddo, MI, Rene Gray of Port Gratgiot, MI, and Bonnie Anglebrandt and husband Larry of Yale, MI, as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 15, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. A military graveside service will follow in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.