James "Jim" Ruise

 James “Jim” William Ruise, a lifelong native of Sonoma for 90 years, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, August 10, surrounded by his children and family.

Jim will be remembered for his days as a bartender at the El Dorado Hotel and Juanita’s, as a top pitcher in Sonoma’s Men’s Fast Pitch League at Arnold Field, as a regular salami winner at the Vintage Festival, and for his feisty humor around the Plaza. Jim spent most of his working years in the agricultural hauling industry—first with Brocco & Sons and later with Safeway.

Jim was the youngest child of George Ruise and Anna Zitto. He will be laid to rest with his parents and brothers, Edward and Robert, at Santa Rosa Memorial Park. Jim also had a sister, Georgeann, who later married Kenneth Wells.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Melissa Marie Ruise and Jacqueline Ruise Springer; his stepsons, Marc and his wife, Carrie, and Mike Finch; his grandchildren, Carlene Mederios and Jarrod McMurtrey; his great-grandchildren, Maddux and Jack Mederios and Zoey McMurtrey; and his step-grandchildren, Julia and Aidan Finch.

Please join us in honoring Jim at a service on Monday, August 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel in Sonoma. The service will be followed by a procession to Santa Rosa Memorial Park, 1900 Franklin Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

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