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MESSAGE FROM NCISS
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Fellow NCISS colleagues and friends,
Last month it was with a very heavy heart that we learned NCISS Past President Vince Ruffolo passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Over the years, NCISS could always rely on Vince's wisdom and friendship, and he was called upon often. His advice and guidance were always spot on, and he had an amazing ability to make you feel welcome and appreciated.
The NCISS family has lost a great leader and friend. He was an tireless advocate for the security industry and kept NCISS members aware of potential legislative threats in his position as NCISS Security Legislation Chair.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to Vince's family and friends. Rest in peace Vince. You will be missed by all who have had the pleasure and honor of knowing you.
Jim Zimmer, President
Vince was a larger than life person and often described as a 'renaissance man'. He was one of those truly rare people that would have been difficult not to enjoy being around him. I always enjoyed Vince's quick wit, his many amusing stories and most especially his friendship. I will forever hold dear 13 years of great memories. Maria Landry, NCISS Board Chair
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Who was Vince? From his friends...
His first love was fishing. As you may recall Vince and I and Gene Ferraro went salmon fishing this past August in Alaska. And every year for the last seven or eight we would spend ten days at the end of May Walleye fishing in northwest Ontario. Vince had been going there for over forty years! He was an avid pilot, owned his own plane, drove a Harley Davidson motorcycle and had two boats and a winter home in Indian Rocks Beach, FL. He also was a musician and played the saxophone and clarinet, truly a renaissance man as my wife always liked to call him. -- Gary Kuty, NCISS and WAD
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Vince was a successful man of keen intellect, articulate, and exceptionally caring. He lived life to its fullest, and lived a life worth emulating. He served as a role model and mentor to many people, including me.
He was the consummate professional, and provided invaluable leadership during his lengthy affiliation with the National Council of Investigation and Security Services. He was a man's man, a renaissance man, and a genuinely wonderful human being. Here is a photograph I took of him and his close friend Gary Kuty at the recent WAD/NCISS event in Boston. Rest in peace my friend, and thank you for your generosity of guidance and wisdom.
So long big guy. You will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace my friend. -- Thomas P. Shamshak, NCISS and WAD*****
1987 was my first NCISS Conference and I joined after that meeting thanks to some convincing by Vince, Bert, and Ed. (Mostly Ed on the golf course) We stayed at the Desert Inn. This was at the poker tournament. Vince took first place of course. John Karubus is in the lower right as you look at the picture. -- Bob Heales, NCISS and WAD
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING VINCE FOR THIRTY ODD YEARS AND CONSIDERED HIM TO, NOT ONLY BE THE CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL, A TRUE CREDIT TO OUR PROFESSION BUT MORE IMPORTANT A DEAR FRIEND. HIS NOTE TO ME ON THE DEATH OF MY WIFE, BECKIE WAS A COMFORT AT A MOST DIFFICULT TIME FOR ME. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON THIS SAD DAY.
OF THE MANY FRIENDS THAT I HAVE KNOWN I CAN TRULY SAY OF VINCE THAT HE LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE OF KNOWING HIM. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STORIES ONE COULD RELATE ABOUT VINCE, ONE THAT STANDS OUT IN MY MIND IS THIS ONE.
THERE WAS A MEETING OF THE OHIO ASSOCIATION IN CINCINNATI AND VINCE WAS INVITED BY ME TO MAKE A PRESENTATION IN BEHALF OF NCISS. VINCE AGREED
TO ATTEND AND INFORMED ME THAT HE INTENDED TO FLY HIS PLANE INTO CINCINNATI AND WOULD FLY BACK THAT NIGHT WITH HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO COMPLETE AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT REQUIREMENT.
I OFFERED TO PICK HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT BUT HE SAID HE WAS NOT CERTAIN OF ARRIVAL TIME AND THAT THEY WOULD GET A CAB. THEY ARRIVED AT OUR DOWNTOWN HOTEL MEETING, A LITTLE LATE (SMILE) NOT UNUSUAL FOR VINCE.
HE GAVE A VERY INFORMATIVE TALK TO THE GROUP AND AS USUAL PROMOTED MEMBERSHIP IN NCISS.
AFTER THE MEETING I TRIED TO GET THEM TO STAY OVER BUT VINCE, ONCE AGAIN, EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR HIM TO MAKE THIS NIGHT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT BACK TO CHICAGO.
I INSISTED ON DRIVING THEM BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND
THIS IS WHERE THE FUN BEGAN. HE FORGOT WHERE THEY HAD PARKED THE PLANE. WE DROVE ALL OVER THE AIRPORT AND FINALLY, AFTER ALMOST AND HOUR, LOCATED WHERE THEY HAD LEFT IT.
I COULDN'T HELP BUT NEEDLE HIM BY EXPRESSING MY CONCERN ON HIS BEING ABLE TO FIND HIS WAY BACK TO
CHICAGO WHEN HE COULDN'T EVEN FIND THE PLANE HERE IN CINCINNATI.
THE EVENING ENDED AS I STOOD ON THE RUNWAY AND POINTED IN A NORTH WESTERLY DIRECTION TELLING HIM THAT CHICAGO WAS THATAWAY.
HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND AND A JOY TO BE AROUND.
-- BERT HINDS, NCISS
***** For all of us who knew and loved Vince, one thing we all knew for sure was how well taken care of he was by everyone who surrounded him in his personal and business life. During this tragic time I want to share a very funny story which all of you who knew Vince will appreciate. A few years back there was an industry event in Dallas where NCISS was going to exhibit. Of course Vince volunteered to work the booth as he always did since he cared so deeply about NCISS. Due to a conflict in my schedule I was unable to attend the conference. This is where the story begins. It's an early morning in Phoenix and I'm driving in my rental car in stop and go traffic trying to get to my business meeting destination. The phone rings, I answer. "Gary, this is Vince, where are you? I'm in Phoenix driving down the highway to a business meeting Vince. Well Gary, when do you get into Dallas, I'm at the airport waiting for you? Vince I don't know, if you recall (BTW he never did!) we talked a couple of weeks ago and I told you I'm not attending, I am in Phoenix on business. Disappointing Gary, Vince lamented, so anyway which hotel are we staying at? Again, ah Vince, I don't know, remember, I'm not attending? Well, ok, find out and call me back I'll wait at the airport. Now, at this point I'm searching my mind to just confirm that I told him I was on a busy interstate in Phoenix, heading to a business meeting. However, Vince being Vince that never even entered his mind. Now here's the best part. I pull off of the interstate, call Carol Ward, get the hotel information and call Vince back with the information. As if this story could get any better, or Vince any needier, his response, hey, thanks Gary, do they have a shuttle to the hotel from the airport? Ah, Vince, I don't know, it's not my hotel (note the hint of sarcasm?) well find out and call me back, CLICK! So, here I go again, off the side of the road, Google the hotel, get their airport van schedule from the concierge and call Vince back with the information. Thanks Gary said Vince, and I'm disappointed you're not here helping NCISS instead of screwing around somewhere in Arizona!" Now the interesting part of all this and I am sure you are asking is why did I even do all this for Vince. I don't work for him, I'm not his assistant or his travel agent? Interesting enough I did it, like many of you have done similar things for Vince over the years because we loved him as a friend and colleague and you could just absolutely not resist his charm. Among close friends of Vince's I always joked that he was like a combination of Reverend Jim and Colombo! A bit eccentric, a bit absent minded, quirky but with an uncanny ability to draw people to him that loved him and actually made you want to help him. As I reflect back on that day I can't help but laugh as to be honest even though I was wondering back then, why me, I'm grateful today that I had the opportunity help an old friend. As Chris Thornton said when I told him this story, "Gary he calls guys like you and me at times like this because he knows we if we don't have the information we know where to get it, he trusts us and most of all knows he can count on us! Lastly, I know I'm going to miss those calls a couple times a week that start out with "hello Mr. Kuty, this Is Pamela from Mr. Ruffolo's office, he would like to speak with you, will you hold please while I get him on the line", will you? -- Gary Kuty, NCISS and WAD
***** I would like to also comment on Vince Ruffolo and this very disturbing news. If you met Vince you would never forget him. He was a larger than life personality and as Bert Hinds said a consummate professional. I worked with Vince on the NCISS board for quite some time and would see him at conferences and always thought this is a gentleman that I would really love to spend more time with. He was an tireless advocate for the security industry for many years and kept NCISS members aware of potential legislative threats. Aside from his expertise as an advocate, he was a successful business man and a pilot and one heck of a story teller. The world is a lesser place without Vince Ruffolo! May his family and friends be comforted by the many fond memories they hold of him. -- Brian McGuinness, NCISS and WAD
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Thoughts of Vince...from around the world
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May he rest in peace and we to maintain its memory alive ! Condolences to his family. With friendship, Dan Rusu ***** REST IN PEACE! Sincere condolences to the family. -- Bogdan Nicolau, WAD ***** Fellow members. I never had the chance to meet Vince and I can see from all the expressions of sadness , that this is my loss. It is so nice to hear so much positive outpouring about Vince from the members, I hope that this positive outpouring continues amongst the members, not just when we lose a member tragically but also at times when we are stuck by the diligence, kindness and compassion of members. We are a close group, a group I have had the privilege to belong and observe grow closer over the past 20 or so years. -- Warren Mallard, WAD ***** "I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love." quoted from Leo Buscaglia Sincere condolences to the family and colleagues, Vince Ruffolo rest in peace! -- Mihai Marcusanu, WAD |
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Vincent L. Ruffolo
age 74
Loving companion of Rita Allan; beloved stepfather of Michael and Christopher Gallaher; devoted brother of Mick (Laurie) and Janet (Joe) Slawinski; also many nieces and nephews. Co-Founder and owner of A & R Security Services, Inc.
Donations to the Anti Cruelty Society or Rotary Foundation appreciated.
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Member from 1975 to 2013 Elected to Board of Directors 1975
President
1986-1988 and Board Chairman
Legislative Chair (Security)
Duffy Award
1992
Wunder Award
1993
Chair (perennial)
Security Companies Organized for Legislative Action (SCOLA)
These are just small examples of the large involvement Vince had with NCISS and his committment to the security profession.
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