Alexander (Alex) Louis Ruiz, Jr.

Alexander (Alex) Louis Ruiz Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, February 6, 2012, at the age of 85. He was a loving husband to A’lice (Lecie) Ruiz for 63 years, loving brother to Gerry Ruiz (Camille), Gregory Ruiz and Ruth Hernandez. He was a cherished Uncle to many nieces and nephews, his Biloxi gang called him “NuNu” a name his niece Cindy affectionately gave him on a trip to Destin, Florida that stayed with him for over 50 years. Alex was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander Louis Ruiz Sr. and Jeanne Serpas Ruiz, his sisters Marie R. Salles, Irene R. Debouchel, and Inez Hernandez . Alex was born in Violet, La. and at the age of 17 joined the Navy where he served our country in battle on the USS California. After leaving the Navy he then met the love of his life A’lice Doize. They married in 1948 making Chalmette their permanent home. Alex sold furniture for Maestri Furniture Company for most of his married life. He boiled seafood at Perino’s Seafood in Arabi during his retirement years. He loved duck hunting, deer hunting especially with his dad, fishing and going out on the famous Mr. Mac, the second love of his life. Together they weathered many storms. Mr. Mac could venture where no other vessel could go and could handle any sea thrown at them. When he pulled out of his boat house in Violet, Louisiana, heading down the bayou, his many compadres’ were lined up waiting to catch a ride, cause he always came home with the ice chest filled. Alex, loved life, his Lecie, his family, boiling seafood, trips to Biloxi and telling jokes for hours. He played the trumpet at many St. Bernard weddings over the years and loved good Jazz Music. Alex and Lecie lived in their little house on Urquhart Street for over 50 years, until they relocated to the Villa Maria Retirement Community in Ocean Springs, MS where they could be close to their Biloxi family and live out their retirement years. A visitation will be held at the St. Bernard Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St, Chalmette, LA on Thursday, February 9th from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm, with burial immediately following at The Gardens. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Homes in Ocean Springs is in charge of arrangements.