Eugene James "Jimmy" Ruiz, 39, Accomplished Boxer

Born February 23, 1964 in Chicago, Ill, he was brought to Lorain in his infancy and had lived here since.

He attended Lincoln and Whittier Elementary School, Lorain, and graduated from Southview High School in 1983.

He was a self-employed handyman for the past several years. He attended Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain.

An accomplished boxer, "Jimmy" had trained at Tom Grey's Gym, Lorain, and Freddies Gym, Lorain, where he had also instructed young children, and most recently at Gechetti Boxing Athletic Gym in Cleveland. In 1984, "Jimmy" turned pro through the Gechetti Boxing Athletic Gym in Cleveland, fighting in the welter weight division. Known for his tenacity in the ring, he was undefeated in 129 fights with 99 knockouts, many of which came in the first round. Over the years, he had won numerous awards, trophies, medals, and championships, including the Ohio State Championship along with the championships from surrounding states, the National Championship, Golden Glove, Silver Glove, and Diamond Glove Championships, the Ohio State Fair Championship, and the Junior Olympics Championship. In 1983 he entered a local Tough Many Competition and won. "Jimmy" took great pride in the fact that he was sponsored by local attorney, James Burge, and Lorain County Commissioner, Mary Jo Vasi.

Surviving is his wife, Lucila (nee Cruz), son, Eugene Ruiz, of Columbus, Ohio, daughter, Alexandra Alexis Ruiz, of Lorain, a step son, Billy Jack Palos, of Lorain, his mother, Marlene Smith, of Lorain, brother, Gary Ruiz, of Akron, and a sister, Julia Ruiz, of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his father Julio Ruiz, in 1988.

The family will receive friends on Friday, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain. The family will also receive friends on Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at 9:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. Rev. Fr. William Thaden, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. Contributions can be made if desired to the Eugene Ruiz Memorial Fund at any US Bank location.