Connections - March 2009 - (Page 4) Passionate Calling Tragic Death Inspires Roofer to Create His Own Business — Edited by Jasmine Grimm — Jonathan Ruffner’s resilience has served him well in life and business. He was tested when his father was murdered, and from that found the resolve to start a roofing business to honor his father’s name. “I always knew I wanted to own a company,” said Ruffner. “I like to do things how I see fit. I’m a perfectionist but I didn’t start until after my father, Ralph, died,” said Ruffner. Ruffner’s father was tragically murdered by his father’s younger brother over a family estate dispute. “The two gentlemen just couldn’t see eye-to-eye and there were some ultimatums made and my dad’s life was taken over it,” said Ruffner. His father died in his home on April 3, 2005. He was 71 years old. “About a week after my dad died I was sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. I kept asking myself ‘Why did this happen?’ I asked myself over and over again,” said Ruffner. His wife, Lori, came to Ruffner and said, “Jonathan, you have three sons who look up to you and emulate you. Is this how you want them to see you?” Ruffner said his wife came to him and gave him “a polite kick in the” pants. “She told me in an understanding way that I needed to move forward. I realized my boys mean everything to me and I realized, in that moment, that I needed to take care of the living,” said Ruffner. “This was the opportunity to hunker down and the people I cherish most— my wife, Lori and my three boys, Gerrick, Alden and Cole—were going to be photo by ole hongvanthong/photole photography http://www.helpguide.org/mental/grief_loss.htm http://www.crcvc.ca/docs/homsurv.pdf http://www.photolephotographyjackpot.com
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