At first we couldn't believe that it was our good friend Fernando Ruiz who had died over the weekend.
But than, after making some inquiries, we were saddened to hear that it was indeed Fernando who had passed away.
We ran into him just last week at the Central Public Library and – as always – he was researching some public issue and freely airing his views on the matter. The last time it was about the land grant the (Cisneros) family claims was stolen from them by the State of Texas and where billionaire Elon Musk is proposing to build a satellite launch pad.
Before that we saw him at the Brownsville Public Independent School District meeting where he showed up to support two trustees against a move by district counsel Baltazar Salazar to remove them from their elected positions.
And if you attended the city commission meetings, you were sure to see him there along Letty Perez-Garzoria, the Rev. Alex Resendez, Dagoberto Barrera, Robert Uresti, and others voicing their opinion on some public issue.
If you remember, Fernando was one of the persons who protested the blacking out of the public comment section on the advice of contract attorney Mark Sossi. To protest the move by the commission to not air the public comment section.
Fernando could be vocal, and at times cantankerous and stubborn, but there was no doubting the sincerity of his views. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he did not wear his patriotism on his sleeve, but had said that he had only done his duty and that was that.
A passionate advocate of the public's right to hold its elected officials accountable, he was a staunch defender of the poor and downtrodden. He often said that the King Ranch Running W brand was actually a rustler's brand to appropriate cattle with the Cisneros brand.
Whether you agreed with him or not, people of his mettle will always be missed in our dwindling public discourse. We extend our condolences to his family and friends. We will miss him.
14 comments:
Rest In Peace Mr. Ruiz.
RIP Mr. Ruiz.
He will be greatly missed, RIP my dear friend.
Fernando was loyal and blindly supportive to his friends and passionate in his belief that everyone should be treated equal. You are right, there are few like him anymore.
Several times he spoke for myself and my family and Many people in Brownsville. for that i'm very grateful ,he will be missed may god bless him and his family.RIP
RIP Mr Ruiz, you will be missed.
DESCANSE EN PAZ DON FERNANDO.UN HOMBRE BUENO.
Thank you for recognizing my father's efforts of being a voice for the community and for your condolences in the event of his passing. He will be loved and missed always.
My condolences to the Ruiz Family, you lost a Great husband, father, uncle, grandfather. God be with you my friend and may he be with your family at this time. el teen
We have lost a great advocate for Just Causes! Rest In Peace my friend. Fernando de Peña.
We have lost a great advocate for Just Causes. Fernando de Peña.
His passion for truth and justice will be greatly missed. What a kind gentle giant Mr.Ruiz you will be greatly missed. He's now in heaven with the GREAT ONE GOD.
Alive in our memories, Fernando "Primo" Ruiz was a great American. He was dedicated to the ideals of justice for all. In reading these dozen comments that appear above, all singularly focus --- without exception --- on the good that Primo did for our community, for the respect he gave all, and for the courage he had to stand up to special interests.
With tears in my eyes, in committing you to the grave, dear Primo, let me commit myself and others to follow, although meekly, in your footsteps. You cut the path towards truth. You blazed the route leading to representative government, as conceived by the Founders of our country.
God bless Fernando "Primo" Ruiz. Each of us should be as strong, as dedicated, as energetic and sincere as this one man.
St. Peter, please let "Primo" pass into the presence of the Lord quickly. If not, well, you'll likely get an earful --- and rightfully so --- about all the good this man did on planet Earth. Each of us are witnesses.
Respectfully,
Yet another small voice of admiration for Fernando "Primo" Ruiz: Jon Schmid
Fernando was a great community citizen. He was as sincere a fellow about issues as I have ever met. He always asked about my health and gave me good advice on how to take care of myself. I will miss him greatly. Go with God. Semper Fi!
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