John Marco Ruyan

John Ruyan, 79, of Cuyahoga Falls Ohio, left this earth peacefully February 27th, with his loving wife, Jan by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. John never complained nor gave up.

John was born the first of five children to the late John and Rosemary Ruyan in Westerville, Ohio, where he often spoke of his idyllic childhood hanging out with his brother Jerry.

John attended Westerville High School and played on both Men’s Varsity Baseball and Basketball teams. He went on to attend Muskingum College, studying mathematics, where he played as a Point Guard on the Men’s Basketball team. John served his country in the US Army Reserve as Military Intelligence Commander acting as an Interpreter/Translator (fluent in Serbo-Croatian) while stationed at Monterey, California.

John received his master’s degree in physical education at The Ohio State University where he also served as an assistant basketball coach with Coach Bill Musselman. John secured his first head coaching position at New London High School, then accepted the head coach position at Steubenville College followed by GlenOak High School, where he taught math and led the basketball team to winning Sectional Championships.

John and Coach Larry Wilson, owned and managed Century Cage Camp working as lead coaches providing off-season summer training for promising high school athletes. John’s final coaching job was working alongside of Hal Smith at Malone College. John continued to scout players when called upon by his fellow coaches, even into January of 2023. John was always an athlete and actively watched, as well as engaged, in a variety of sports. He was the first in our area to play and promote pickleball, and was currently on a golf league with his son Nate. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a great encourager, cheering us on in sports and in life. John will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His passion for teaching, coaching, sports, his family, and enjoying the outdoors will be remembered and cherished.

John leaves behind his best friend and wife Jan, and children whom he loved dearly: Nate Ruyan, Katie (Bill) Heavilin, Mary (Ali) Ruyan, and Jenna Fisher; two very special grandchildren; Nicholas and Natalie Heavilin; loving siblings; Jerry Ruyan, Roberta (Pat) Fagan, Robert Ruyan, nieces’ nephews, and cousins. John was fun loving and shared many laughs with his friends; Larry, Gus, Tim, and Gary, to name just a few. John was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Rebecca Ruyan Groseclose.

The family of John Ruyan express thanks to all the “angels” including Carol C. and Aldean, of The Western Reserve Hospice in Medina Ohio and oncology staff at the Cleveland Clinic, who treated John with heartfelt kindness and dignity throughout his time as a patient.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, April 29th, from 2-5 pm at Raintree Golf and Event Center, 4350 Mayfair Rd., Uniontown, OH 44685. Should you feel inclined, you are welcome, in lieu of flowers, to make a donation to the staff at Western Reserve Hospice of Medina.  Condolences and special memories of John can be shared with his family online at

www.heritagecremationsociety.com

Heritage Cremation & Burial Society

(330) 875-5770