Obituary of Michael E. Ruef

Michael Edward Ruef, a life-long resident of Hasbrouck, NY, departed this earth on July 1, 2017, after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Known to many as "Mike the Mailman," Mike worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier until his retirement. Prior to that, he worked as a greens keeper for the Town of Fallsburg golf courses and on his family's dairy farm alongside his father and brother. Mike was drafted in the U.S. Army at age 21 and served stateside during the Vietnam Conflict in 1966. Upon his return, he, his sister Julia and their spouses established the Neversink River Campgrounds in 1969 on land they purchased from their father. The camp and familial farmland were sources of great pride for Mike, and the place he loved the most.

Mike was an avid hiker and scaled most, if not all, of the high peaks of the beautiful Catskill Mountains. A hike with Mike was always a day filled with laughter and joy. His Easter Sundayhikes were legendary, and each year upon reaching the summit, he would exclaim "this is my church!" Mike was an avid gardener, cultivating over an acre of vegetables each season, almost all of which he gave away to anyone who wanted them. He loved trees, planting over 1,000 in his lifetime. He was a kind and generous man who opened his heart and home to his friends, family and those in need.

Mike was predeceased by his mother, Alberta (Moritz) Ruef and father, Martin Ruef as well as his brother, Jacob Ruef. He is survived and will be missed dearly by his faithful "calendar dog," Bailey, his sons, Martin (Allison) Ruef and Daniel Ruef; companion Patricia Hyzer; stepchildren Michael Beiling, Patricia (Alex) Horvath and their families; Brian Hyzer and Eric (Jennifer) Hyzer; grandchildren Jared Nash, Elena Ruef and Abigail Ruef; sister Julia Dolgas and her companion James Dole; nieces and nephews James Ruef, Melissa Ruef, John (Rosana) Dolgas, Mark Dolgas and Heidi (Brendan) Pavese and their families. Mike is also survived by the many friends and campers who loved him dearly and will miss him immensely.

Mike's family would like to send their heartfelt thanks to the hospice workers who helped them and Mike during his time of need.

A service to celebrate Mike's life will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. at the Grahamsville Reformed Church-Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, Rte. 55 in Grahamsville, NY, and officiated by the Reverand Paul Z. Ruter of the Grahamsville Reformed Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mike's memory to the Catskill Center, 43355 Rte 28, Arkville, NY 12406 or online at www.catskillcenter.org.

Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial-Bryant Funeral Home for further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhomes.com .