Ignacio Manuel Ruiz Diaz
Dec 26, 1929 - May 9, 2014
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger
 

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Ignacio, 84, of Norman passed away Friday, May 9, 2014.  He was born December 26, 1929 in Pinar del Rio, Cuba to Ignacio Braulio Ruiz Revuelta and María Josefa Diáz Diáz.

He met María de Jesus Páez Clausell through his involvement with Catholic Action.  They wed on November 18, 1956 in Pinar del Rio, where Ignacio worked as a Catholic school teacher and editor for the Knights of Colombus magazine.  As their love brought forth two children, they were persecuted for their faith by the new Cuban government, who monitored even their domestic activities.  They fled Cuba in January 1962.

Ignacio and María lived in Puerto Rico, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Austin, Texas before moving to Norman in 1997 to live near their grandchildren.  In each city, Ignacio was very dedicated to educating others about Cuba.  Here in Norman, Ignacio co-founded the Father Stanley Rother Hispanic Cultural Institute to share his rich cultural heritage and the Spanish language. 

Throughout his life, Ignacio worked, many jobs, most notably as a freelance writer.  His most important work was always for the Catholic Church, in service of the Gospel and of the poor.  His kind, gentle spirit and sparkling sense of humor will be missed by many, especially his family and the parish community at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marina Ruiz.  Ignacio is survived by his wife; son, Ignacio Manuel Ruiz Páez; daughter, María de Lourdes Ruiz Scaperlanda and husband Michael; grandchildren:  Christopher Scaperlanda and wife Mary, Anamaría Scaperlanda Biddick and husband Travis, Rebekah Scaperlanda, Michelle Scaperlanda McWay and husband Conor; great-grandchildren: Ignacio, Cecila and Elena Scaperlanda, Sofia Biddick; niece, Teresa Iraneta Ruiz.

A Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 N. Porter, Norman, OK.  A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 N. Porter, Norman, OK with interment following at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 1913 N. Porter, Norman, OK.

Contributions may be made to Deeds of Love (Obras de Amor), an organization that helps those in financial need, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.