Obituary of Mario Ruiz - Mesa

Dr. Mario G. Ruiz-Mesa, 100, of Vineland was born in Santa Clara, Cuba in 1918, as the son of a powerful Cuban political leader, Mario, his parents, and siblings were forced into a four year exile in Miami, Florida in the 1930s. During this period, Mario attended Miami Senior High School where he was a popular student leader, participating in the debate club and was elected his Senior Class President. After a change in regime in Cuba, Mario and his family returned to their treasured Havana, where Mario studied law at the University of Havana. After graduation, Mario became an attorney and later a judge serving communities throughout Cuba. As a judge, he sought to deliver fair verdicts, and he especially enjoyed complex cases that involved researching case law and legal precedents. His love of research, writing, and languages led him to later study international diplomacy at the University of Havana. During his studies, Mario honed his knowledge of Latin, and became fluent in Italian, French and Portuguese, adding to his fluency in Spanish, and English. In 1960, Mario and his family returned to the United States for what would be their last exile. Mario worked at the McMillian Publishing Company in the International Sales Department translating company documents into French, Italian, and Spanish. After 10 years at McMillian, Mario returned to his legal roots, this time as a social worker advocating for families and children throughout South Jersey. Mario retired from the State of New Jersey in 1989. While in retirement, Mario and his beloved wife, Rosita, enjoyed driving down to Miami to visit family, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and taking day trips to Atlantic City. Throughout his life, Mario was a passionate reader, writer, traveler, and lover of architecture, and he enjoyed traveling around the globe, appreciating the beauty of cities from Buenos Aires to Barcelona. His love of life, kind disposition, and contagious laughter will be missed by many. In Mario's words, his advice to live a happy life was to, "Treat people like you would want them to treat you. Laugh a lot, travel, smile, and always have your bags packed and ready to go." Mario was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Rosalia (Rosita) Senjudo Ruiz-Mesa. He was the loving father of Mario J. Ruiz-Mesa (and his wife, Carmen) of Vineland, NJ, and Gloria R. Graff (and her late husband David Graff) of Atco, NJ. Mario was the dear brother of Rosalina Zervigon of Miami, Florida (and her late husband Dr. Aldo Zervigon), the late Dr. Elina Ruiz-Mesa, and the late Dr. Nilda Silvestre (and her late husband Dr. Aberlardo Silvestre). Mario was the cherished grandfather of David Graff (Stacy), Michael Graff (Lisa), Dr. Kristina Ruiz-Mesa (Dr. Gianmarc Grazioli), and Krystal Ruiz-Mesa. He was the proud great grandfather of David, Mia, Gianna, Ava, and Leah Graff who referred to him as Pappy Elo. Relatives and friends are invited to gather for a life celebration on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland. Private interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Vineland.