Leo Elgain Ruby

Leo Elgain Ruby, 73, passed on unexpectedly at home Thursday, October 27, 2016. Leo was born in Pigeon, Michigan on May 13, 1943. In 1957, he and his family, along with his grandparents Nels and Lottie Harder, and his Uncle Claude and Aunt Florence Ruby moved to Kalkaska and bought a dairy farm on M-66. In his youth, Leo was baptized, and in his later years he listened to recorded homilies given by Fr. Norm Dickson of St. Mary of the Woods Parish. Leo graduated in 1961 from Kalkaska High School, and went on to serve in the United States Coast Guard. He spent 25 years as the manager at the House of Pets in Traverse City. He went on to work at Pets and Things in Kalkaska for 8 years, where he learned to operate a mop for the first time. In his retirement years Leo spent most of the growing season gardening and continued to expand his menagerie of pets, including chickens, pigeons, peacocks, doves, pheasants, canaries, finches, fish, frogs and lizards-plus one stray cat taken in to round things out. He gave his surplus fruits, vegetables and eggs to K.A.I.R. (Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources) the local food bank for the needy. Leo enjoyed fishing on Clam Lake and hunting deer with his good friend Tony Bouchey, his brother Ken and his cousin Joe Reinig. He was known for his good sense of humor and was presented with the WCCW Good Guy Award. Many fond memories will come to mind at the mention of his name. Left to cherish his memory are his brother Ken (Yvonne) Ruby, sister Doloris Ruby (Pat Hayes), uncle Eugine (Shirley) Martin, five nieces; Angela Douglas, Holly Green, Brandy Newburry, Angie Krumm, Nancy Marsack, nephew John Marsack, and many cousins and friends. Leo was preceded in death by his parents Elgain and Viola Ruby. The funeral will take place on Friday November 4, 2016 at 12:00 pm at the Kalkaska Funeral Home, 152 S. Cedar St., Kalkaska, MI 49646. Fr. Norm Dickson will officiate. Final visitation will begin one hour prior to service and a graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Lunch will follow graveside service in the lower level of the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, those planning on an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials in Leo’s honor to K.A. I. R. Arrangements entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home.

Leo Elgain Ruby

May 13, 1943 - October 27, 2016