With a degree in marketing, Ruffin entered the food and beverage industry and became owner of Ruffinos Restaurant in 2000. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. Ruffino's Restaurant owner Ruffin Rodrigue Jr. has died. Ruffin Rodrigue Jr., a former LSU football player and owner of popular Baton Rouge restaurant Ruffino's, has died. His restaurants remained open Wednesday to cater to patrons Thanksgiving needs and to Celebrate Life the way Ruffin would have wanted, the restaurant said in a statement Wednesday. Due to pandemic restrictions, the funeral service for Rodrigue will be private. 0 . For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Due to pandemic restrictions, the funeral service will be private. Rodrigue owned Ruffino's restaurant in Baton Rouge and Ruffino's On the River in Lafayette. He was born on April 2, 1967 in Thibodaux, LA, to Ruffin Adam Rodrigue, Sr., and the late. ). A public visitation for Rodrigue will be held on Tuesday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 205 N. 4th St., Baton Rouge, LA. Please enter your email and password to sign in. The committal of ashes will take place in a private ceremony at St. Joseph Cemetery in Thibodaux at a later date. PROVIDED PHOTO BY RUFFINO'S. Weve updated the security on the site. "Prior to his death, Ruffin was a vocal advocate for Louisiana restaurants, fighting for grants and relief for restaurants hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic," Gallagher said. Rodrigue, who was the founder and owner of Ruffino's restaurant with locations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, passed away unexpectedly on November 24, 2020. The committal of ashes will take place in a ceremony at St. Joseph Cemetery in Thibodaux at 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 2nd. There was an error deleting this problem. Ruffin was also a former LSU football player, playing for the Tigers from 1986 to 1989. Learn more about managing a memorial . As a kid I was always thinking he was so cool for playing for BYU, said Ruffin Rodrigue Jr., the local restaurateur who played at LSU from 1986-89, earning honors as an All-Southeastern Conference guard in 1988. Cotton candy is included with each takeout order. Ruffin Adam Rodrigue, Jr., age 53, passed away in Baton Rouge, LA, on November 25, 2020. Rodrigue, a starter in 1967, had some interest from pro teams but had hurt his knee and decided to end his career. Harris said he spoke to Rodrigue Tuesday afternoon following Gov. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. 1 Visit. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Try these Acadiana outdoor dining spots with a view, The Candy Man: Ruffin Rodrigue adds dazzle to takeout orders with music video, cotton candy, Rabalais: Ruffin Rodrigue will be missed at Saturday's LSU-Alabama game, but his spirit will be there, Ruffino's retains director of operations as company moves forward after owner's death. Theres no way you couldnt love him, said Jim Urdiales, the owner of Mestizo restaurant in Baton Rouge. He was able to keep his staff on the company payroll through money generated through take-out orders. Family members linked to this person will appear here. I guess youd say he was charming, said Rodrigue, a running back. They really made a difference for our team to have that example.. An Italian-Creole restaurant and catering business with locations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Ruffino's is a success story because of Ruffin's heart for hospitality, a passion that garnered several industry awards during his career. "The restaurant business was a good fit for him.". With a degree in marketing, Ruffin entered the food and beverage industry and became owner of Ruffino's Restaurant in 2000. Ruffin, a former football player at LSU, began his journey with Ruffino's in 1998 with an understanding that he wanted to create something special, and not just another restaurant, according to their website. A system error has occurred. LPSO responds to shooting on Windward St. SLPSO: Man stole car key, house key near Port Barre, Acadiana students nominated for state honor, Acadiana foster dad fighting to get children back, Hooded man wearing sagging pants steals $9K in purses, Two arrested following armed robbery in Morgan City, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ruffin will be remembered and celebrated for his big smile and even bigger heart, his larger-than-life presence, his charitable contributions to the community, his optimism, and his thoughtful words and gestures for occasions big and small. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ruffin Adam Rodrigue I found on Findagrave.com. Rodrigue's mark on the food . Thanks for your help! BATON ROUGE Ruffin Rodrigue Jr., a gregarious and popular former LSU football player turned successful restaurateur, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Ruffin Adam Rodrigue Jr. Baton Rouge - Ruffin Adam Rodrigue, Jr., age 53, passed away in Baton Rouge, LA, on November 25, 2020. The Marines landed in Provo, Utah, in 1965, though Rodrigue couldnt play until 1966 because he started a season at Southeastern Louisiana before joining the military. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. He and his wife ran a floral nursery, a catering business, and a Bed & Breakfast. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. He proudly sang their praises to anyone he encountered, often sharing treasured family photos with friends new and old. "We lost a pillar of the industry that helped reshape it in the last few years.". We had lots of great times together.". RUFFIN RODRIGUE OBITUARY Ruffin Adam Rodrigue, Jr., age 53, passed away in Baton Rouge, LA, on November 25, 2020. Rodrigue owned Ruffino's restaurant in Baton Rouge and Ruffino's On the River in Lafayette. According to the post, Ruffin Rodrigue Jr. passed away unexpectedly Tuesday night. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Sign up for service and obituary updates. All rights reserved. Ruffin Rodrigue Jr., a former LSU football player who opened the Ruffino's restaurants in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, died unexpectedly from a heart attack Tuesday night. residents cited for shooting geese from moving, 30 Iberia Parish jail inmates baptized behind bars, UPDATE: 16-year-old arrested for murder in Lake Charles, UPDATE: Drug raid uncovers almost 3 lbs cocaine,. Ruffin could often be found entertaining guests with stories and table-side serenades. Rodrigue and former restaurant partner Peter Sclafani were named Louisiana Restaurant Association restaurateurs of the year in 2014. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. There was a second former Marine from Louisiana: Casey Boyett, a wingback from Jena who played from 1966-68 (a co-captain as a senior) and now lives in Hawaii. Please reset your password. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? John Bel Edwards announcement that restaurants and other businesses will have to scale back capacity. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. News of Rodrigues unexpected passing rippled through the restaurant industry Wednesday as friends and restaurant peers exchanged texts and memories. 2023 www.theadvertiser.com. Perry was a block of muscle, Lyons recalled. I didnt know you had also lost your wife. Our whole famiy is feeling the great loss of "Little Ruffin" and praying for all of his family left behind! Ruffin Rodrigue Jr. loved greeting friends and strangers alike with a large smile and bear hug. There was a problem saving your notification. 5 Texas A&M (5-1) on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Published by Houma Today from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2, 2020. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. You may leave a message for the family by clicking here. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. After DiNardo was fired late in the 1999 season, Rodrigue eventually took over the restaurant and changed its name to Ruffino's in 2000. Oops, we were unable to send the email. During that time, he could be found at all hours of the day covered in blue and pink sugar as he perched over the candy machine he set up in his office. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Take comfort in knowing that they are with Jesus. "Having a great time. Ruffin Rodrigue, owner of Ruffino's restaurant and a former LSU football player, died unexpectedly Tuesday night from a heart attack. Ruffin Rodrigue played for LSU from 1986 to 1989. I wouldnt know anybody there now.. Friends react to unexpected death of Ruffino's founder, 53: 'Theres no way you couldnt love him'. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Ruffin Rodrigue makes cotton candy during the coronavirus pandemic in his office at Ruffino's. Rodrigue, a former Tiger, was a restaurant owner in the Baton Rouge area, becoming a staple of the LSU community. Hewas so proud to be an LSU Tiger. This account has been disabled. "Just a great person. BATON ROUGE, La. The popular Italian-Creole fusion eatery in Baton Rouge saw success under Rodrigue's ownership, which led to him and his business partner Peter Sclafani opening a second restaurant in Lafayette in 2013. 1:00 BATON ROUGE Ruffin Rodrigue Jr., a gregarious and popular former LSU football player turned successful restaurateur, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack. Funeral services have been set for Ruffino's owner and founder Ruffin Rodrigue. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Ruffin Rodrigue Jr. was 53. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Due to pandemic restrictions, the funeral service will be private. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? He proudly sang their praises to anyone he encountered, often sharing treasured family photos with friends new and old. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. In addition to tirelessly working for the advancement of the restaurant industry in general, he poured his energy into creating his restaurant's signature warm and welcoming atmosphere. "I looked up to him because he played before me and helped me," he said. After graduating from LSU in 1990, Ruffin played for the WLA until getting injured. The owner and founder of Ruffino's Restaurant in Baton Rouge has died, the restaurant announced on Facebook. Former LSU football player Ruffin Rodrigue died on Wednesday. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41.10). Rodrigue is survived by his wife and two children. Rodrigue was a 2-time SEC champion who later . A native of Thibodaux, he signed with LSU in 1986 out of Thibodaux High School. He is survived by his loving wife, Alison Seamster Rodrigue, and their two children, Ruffin Adam Rodrigue, III, and Margaret Anne Rodrigue; his father and brothers Gawain Thomas Rodrigue and Braden Paul Rodrigue; and many adoring relatives. Rodrigue, a starter in 1967, had some interest from pro teams but had hurt his knee and decided to end his career. There is a problem with your email/password. But his three years in Provo, beneath the Wasatch Mountains on the BYU campus, still produce fond memories. Ruffin Rodrigue is adding a little bit of dazzle to Ruffino's takeout routine. Restaurant guests returned again and again to "celebrate life"- a guiding principle of the restaurant. BATON ROUGE Ruffin Rodrigue Jr., a gregarious and popular former LSU football player turned successful restaurateur, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack.