Raymond Ruel

Raymond Joseph Ruel passed away May 26, 2025 at age 82, at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Raymond was born March 11, 1943in New Britain CT to Parents:
Paul and Evelyn Ruel; Ray was the third child of 6, (4 boys, 2 girls.)
Ray’s elementary and High School education were in New Britain. March 1962 Ray became a Naval Reservist training as a Battalion Unit One Seabee. Ray’s first duty station was Kodiak, Alaska at the time the “Good Friday Earthquake Disaster” struck on March 27, 1964. Ray’s Seabee Unit was awarded the Naval Unit Commendation Ribbon for “heroism and outstanding actions” performed during that disaster. July 1964 Ray was sent to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, CA, San Diego for special and expeditionary warfare training and operations; this was the beginning of Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
Ray was released from active duty August 7, 1965. He decided to settle in San Diego and purchased his first home at age 22 in the Lake Jennings area. Ray was discharged from the Navy in March of 1968.
Ray worked for various construction companies until he applied for and was issued his own California State General Contractor’s “B” License September 10, 1975. Ray was a Master Builder who performed all phases of construction and had many successful years operating his San Diego Area business. Ray remodeled, built custom homes and worked on large commercial projects in his life long construction career.
In 1977 Ray married JoAnn Ruth Blaha, and in 1979 they welcomed Identical Twin Sons, Joe & Jon. Ray was a devoted Husband and Father and shared many of his interests with his growing Sons. Family activities included hunting, fishing, horses, woodworking, mechanics, and a love of the outdoors. Ray was active in local Boy Scouts as well as the community Horse Club and Gun Club always teaching his Sons skills to enjoy and share activities with them.
Ray loved people and had a lot of friends, he was fun to be around and the life of the party. He was an avid reader and enjoyed talking about many different subjects. He will be missed by his friends and family.
Raymond is survived by his Wife of 48+ years, JoAnn Ruth Blaha; Twin Sons, Joe & Jon, His Brother Paul Ruel, (wife, Joan) of Naples, Florida; Shirley Ruel Swenson, (husband, Kendall) of Eureka, CA; Robert Ruel, (wife, Kathi) San Leandro, CA; and he was preceded in death by his Parents Paul Anthony, May 12, 1999; & Evelyn Perry Ruel, January 14, 2000; Richard Ruel, November 17, 2009; his Wife, Karen Ann Guzauskas, December 13, 1999; Patricia Ruel Riley, February 09, 2025; Ray has 4 Grandchildren; with many Nieces and Nephews he was very close to.
His service will be held at:
Miramar National Cemetery. Full Military Honors 5796 Noble Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
June 16, 2025
2:00pm to 2:30pm
858 658-7397 call for more information