A Tribute to Ed Ruiz By “Pastor” Charlie Arsenault

It is with great sadness that I mourn the death of a highly respected godly man, Ed Ruiz.

As a result of visiting Ed in the hospital over the past few days I have been filled with a
gamut of emotions. In Ed’s compromised condition, I knew that death would surely be
gain for him because I knew he was going to the arms of his deeply loved Heavenly
Father. His death held no fear, dread, or uncertainty.

I feel sorrow as I say good-bye to a man who has impacted my life as his friend and
pastor. Ed could be trusted because his walk matched his talk.

Ed’s love for Christ was real and he loved God’s word and committed much of it to
memory. He was an authentic follower of Christ. He loved gathering in the church to
worship and fellowship. He especially enjoyed the dialogue and discernment of the
Spirit’s work in our midst. None of us will ever forget Ed’s broad smile and his hearty
laugh. Nor will we forget those moments when his eyes welled up with tears over the
great pain or grief someone was bearing and then leading in prayer for that individual’s
needs. None of us will ever forget how much he enjoyed a good story nor how much he
enjoyed telling one of his own. I admired him. I learned much from him. I was
encouraged by him Sunday after Sunday.

I was challenged by him. I appreciated his wisdom borne of many years in serving the
Lord. I was grateful for his counsel. And I always had the sense that when Ed often
would tell me “Pastor Charlie I hold you up in my prayers” that he really did. While we all
mourn him we remember what great trust Ed had in the promises of Christ. What great
joy he had in the very thought of being a guest in heaven.

Ed, Carmen and I became acquainted almost 25 years ago and for most of those years
I was their pastor. I will forever be grateful to have been blessed to be Ed’s pastor. Just
a few Sundays ago I sat beside him in church. I will never forget his last sentence to me
that Sunday morning. “Pastor Charlie, you are my favorite pastor!” Perhaps he has
said that to several of his pastors but what Ed Ruiz gave me through his life will
continue to influence how I live my life. I look forward to spending eternity with him
when my days in life are done.

Psalm 116:15
15″ Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.”

Pastor Charlie

Mr. Ruiz’s service will be live streamed January 24, 2025, 10:30 am, on the Schweitzer Church website. Services are provided by Greenlawn Funeral Home East.