Juan M. Ruiz

Juan Ruiz, 17 of New Britain, CT passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 at home after a long illness. Juan was the youngest son of Juanita Santana and Dimas Ruiz. He left a brother Nicolas Ruiz recently of AZ. Juan has been struggling with his life all these years but was a fighter. He knew he was loved so much by his family and friends. Juan was tutored most of the time at home or in the hospital and would have graduated in 2010 from New Britain High School. He loved going to the Rock Cats and Wolf Pack games and loved all the Boston teams, especially the Boston Red Sox. He also loved his XBOX live and all his gamer friends. Besides his parents and brother, he leaves his paternal grandmother Carmen Ruiz, his only niece Christiana Calkins, many aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family, and many friends, especially David Roziecki. Juan was predeceased by his only sister Davika, just in July, 2008. He was also predeceased by his maternal grandparents Gloria and Manuel Santana, and his paternal grandfather Cruz Ruiz. The family would like to thank the Masonicare Partners Hospice Care staff, the Hartford Hospital Transplant team, CT Children's Medical Center Hospital staff, especially Dr. Seth Lapuk and Dr. Larry Scherzer, UCONN Medical Center, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA, his tutors, Terry Jakupco and Olga Esperra, the staff of the New Britain school system and everyone else for all the care and support that was given to Juan and his family throughout these past years. The family requests that you choose your options of flowers or donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation, "Juan's Wishing Stars", 126 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at 10:30 am at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 S. Main St., New Britain followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am at St. Mary Church, 544 Main St., New Britain. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, 1309 Stanley St., New Britain. A gathering will take place at St. Mary Church at the hall in the lower level following the services. Calling hours are Sunday from 4 – 7 pm at the funeral home.