Louis Matthew Rufolo

Louis Matthew Rufolo, 68, of West Palm Beach, formerly of Long Island, New York passed away at Malcolm Randall Medical Center in Gainesville on August 4, 2018. Dear friend to all and beloved son of the late Louis and Jean Rufolo of Holiday, Florida. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. Louis was a retired mail handler from the United States Post Office in West Palm Beach. Louis grew up in Medford, Long Island, New York and graduated high school from Patchogue-Medford High School. In the mid-70's he moved to Florida with his parents and for most of his adult life he lived in the West Palm Beach, FL area. He had a passion all his life for sports, music and movies and enjoyed the occasional thrift store or flea market find. Throughout his life he was a dedicated New York Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers, and Boston Celtic fan, but he loved Florida State University Seminoles football and St. John's University basketball teams. Louis loved the old-timers Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Larry Byrd, and favored Derrick Jeter of late! You would always find him wearing a NY Yankees hat or t-shirt. Really, there was no sport that Uncle Louis didn't follow. He knew player's and could recite hi-lights of games present and past. One of his favorite events was Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier. Louis unfortunately fought with cancer for over 10 years. Even the great Muhammad Ali would have been proud of how many rounds he went during this fight. Even though the last round wasn't his best, he fought a great fight and never, not once, did he throw-in the towel. Louis loved Thurman Munson, who died on August 2, 1979, and on August 6, 1979 Bobby Murcer honored Munson by winning the game for the NYYs. They remembered the fallen Munson with a message flashed on the scoreboard stating "Our captain and leader has not left us today, tomorrow, this year, next... our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him." And exactly a year earlier on the same date, the late, great Phil Rizzuto said, "Well that (regarding the passing of Pope Paul VI) kind of puts the damper on even a Yankee win." (August 6, 1978) It's ironic that "Big Lou" with all his passion for sports leaves us in the same exact month and week (39 yrs later) that one of his heros did. He was full of life, even in the darkest of times, he loved and never gave up. We know you are in good hands, meeting and greeting all the greats that you have admired for so long! Hey Jude, don't be afraid of the dark side of the moon You finally get the chance to dance along the light of day and walk up the stairway to heaven, to find out that heaven is not overrated; How we wish, how we wish, you were here now! Sing with me if it's just for today, Maybe tomorrow the Good Lord will take me away. ...a melody of Louis' favorite tunes Louis is survived by his children, Desiree (Neil) Keeffe, Jennifer Whidden, Matthew Rufolo and Amanda Rufolo; brothers, John (Janet) Rufolo and Vincent Rufolo; sister in-laws, Patricia Flanagan and Valerie Flemming. Louis was known as “Papa Louie” to his grandchildren, Jarred “JT”, Brittany, Alexis, Madi, Kalli, Brian, Brooke and Justin. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews for whom he shared a special bond, Richard (Rosanne), Daniel, Lori (Ron), Rene (Dave), Anthony (Pam), John, Loretta (Wayne), Gina Marie (Frankie), Vincent (Sandra), Dean (Kathy), Christopher (Kim), Stephanie and Tiffany (Jude), along with many great nieces and nephews and in-laws, grandma Alice, Gus (Michele), Alice, Mike, and Kimberly. Louis was preceded in death by one sister, Joan (Richard) Lambertson. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2018 at Jacksonville National Cemetery with Father Richard Perko officiating. A visitation will precede the service from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St. Johns Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Go Fund me https://www.gofundme.com/jeep-peeps-for-desiree St. Jude Children's Research https://www.stjude.org/give.html Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.