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Filberto "Squeeze" Ruiz Jr. passed away at home on May 6, 2006. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Esther Aguilar Ruiz; daughter, Barbara Morin and husband, Tom; beloved grandson, Esteban; brother, Frank Ruiz and wife, Rosemond; sisters, Odella, Mary, and Patsy; brothers-in-law, John Aguilar and his wife, Esther, Dr. Antonio Aguilar and his wife, Gert; sister-in-law, Beatrice Aguilar; dearest friends, Jack and Maggie Valencia of Las Cruces; and loyal comrade, Moe Armstrong of Cambridge, MA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Squeeze was a descendent of German-born Patrick Coleman and wife, Vicenta of Lincoln County. He was born in Dawson, NM in 1918, the eldest son of Filberto Ruiz Sr. and Virginia Coleman Ruiz and moved to Raton in 1932. His family owned and operated the City Cab & Bus Service in Raton, and his mother, Virgie, later opened the Ruiz Cafe. Squeeze enlisted in the NM National Guard and was deployed to Ireland (1941) and England (1942). He served as a commander of the 804 Tank Destroyer Battalion Unit in North Africa against Rome, fought in the liberation of Rome, and was subsequently wounded in Italy in 1944. He was awarded 2 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and in 2003, the French "Croix de Guerre." Mr. Ruiz was a Service Officer in Raton with the NM Veterans Service Commission from 1955 to 1965, at which time he was named Director and moved with his family to Santa Fe. He headed the agency for 14 years, and in that capacity, faithfully and lovingly served as the guardian for many of New Mexico's veterans. He was nominated by his fellow state directors as President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs in 1976. Squeeze was a member and supporter of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Military Order of the Purple of Hearts. He loved his country, was a man of integrity and honor, and never, ever forgot the price of freedom. Squeeze had an unrivaled zest for life. He was an avid sportsman, outrageous raconteur, and talented musician who provided many an enchanting evening to citizens of Northern NM and Southern Colorado as the band leader of "Squeeze Ruiz and his Latin Band." A vignette of his lively essence is captured in the novel, "Coal Camp Justice" by Professor Ricardo L. Garcia. Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who was adored and will be profoundly missed by his family. Visitation will be held at the Berardinelli Funeral Home on Thursday evening, May 11, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary following at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Friday, May 12, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. followed by interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, friends and family honor one of the many forgotten veterans at the National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 983- 4331
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