This is from Sue Klein:I changed my cover photo to a picture of my dear friend Ron Rutti. This was taken on his last day at The Plain Dealer, in 2015. We worked together for 30 years. Ron passed away today after a courageous battle with cancer. My heart is broken. Words some would use to describe Ron: cranky, negative, curmudgeonly. He swore a whole lot and didn't care who heard him. Words I would use to describe Ron: caring, heart of gold, true friend, brave, loyal and kind. He was just that friend we all need. He was a sounding board when I needed advice. He was a mentor to younger staff. A gifted editor who could turn thoughts and words into award winning printed stories. He was my fantasy baseball and football commissioner. Every pick I would make he would call me a dumbass. Most of the time, he was right. He got me into fantasy baseball years ago and I was the only woman in the league. When he left the league, I left the league. It wouldn't be fun without him. He would take me to lunch every year on "Secretary's Day" even though I wasn't his secretary. He would bring gifts to the office for new babies and claim that Bonnie L. Mollica would make him bring them, they weren't from him. Yep, he never wanted to get caught being a good guy. He came to the hospital four years ago when I had my second lung surgery. He only stayed for a few minutes, he just wanted to make sure I was okay. When I needed an interviewer for my service academy interviews in Bowling Green, someone bailed on me at the last minute. The gifted reporter/interviewer, and better friend, drove to Bowling Green to help me out. He spent an entire Saturday interviewing students. Again, never wanted to get caught being the good guy. Last summer he reached out to me and asked if he could come to my house to talk to me. He came to tell me that he was dying. I cried, and as usual, he comforted me. That good guy again. He was determined to fight the cancer, but he knew it was only a matter of time before it got him. I gave him a green scapular, something that my mom used to give to people who were ill. So many times we witnessed the miracle that we always attributed to the scapular. How I prayed for a miracle for Ron. Bonnie called me today to tell me he was gone, and she said he was still wearing the scapular. I had no idea how much it meant to him. Ron's wife of 36 years and his son, Trevor, have lost so much more than I can comprehend. Bonnie, you were so devoted and you lived your marriage vows every day. You took such good care of him. Trevor, you were his pride and joy. Your devotion to your dad, coming home from California was so special to him. My heart is breaking for both of you. I have no doubt that God opened his arms to this man and brought him home today. I just wish we could have had him here longer. RIP Ron! I will miss you forever.
Here's the death notice that was in the Sunday, April 28, 2019 paper:
Ron Rutti:
age 68, died on April 16, 2019. Ron was a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area and worked at The Plain Dealer for over 35 years. He also served as vice president and president of CWA Northeast Ohio Newspaper Guild Local 1. His survivors are his cherished wife, Bonita (Bonnie) Mollica and son, Trevor Rutti. Also surviving are his father, Nick Rutti, mother Anna Holzworth Rutti and brother, Kenneth Rutti. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Hein. There will not be calling hours or a burial Mass. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity
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