Joseph Ruzycki

Joseph Ruzycki
March 3, 1923 - September 5, 2018
Joseph Ruzycki, age 95, died at HopeWest Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado on September 5, 2018. 
He was born in Fairview, New Jersey to Ukrainian immigrant parents, Tekla Marciniuk Ruzycki and Alexander John Ruzycki on March 3, 1923. He is survived by three daughters and a son, Catherine Kelleher (John), Susan Horsley (Allen), Lois Monroe (Edward), and Alex Ruzycki (Lisa). He loved his grandchildren, Jessie Kelleher, Janet Kelleher, Jacob Monroe, Maya Monroe, Emily Anderly, Garrett Horsley, and Ryan Horsley and his two great-grandchildren, Nella and Phinehas Anderly. Additionally, three of his nine(!) siblings also survive, Lillian Yatsko, Isabelle Cuseo, and Charles Ruzycki. He loved his dogs, Tar, Pete and Fred. 
During WWII, he served with the Army Corp of Engineers in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he attended school at the University of Wyoming and graduated with a BS in Geology. He married Margaret Mary McCulloch in 1952. He and Margaret enjoyed travel, and had an adventurous start to their marriage by living in Mexico.
After graduation, he worked as a geologist in Mexico and later in aerial uranium exploration with the Atomic Energy Commission. The majority of his career was spent working for Union Carbide Corporation as a geologist and petrologist. His work took him around the world, including Alaska, Australia, and South Africa. He was instrumental in developing patented methods for extracting vanadium that significantly affected the uranium and steel industries. He also developed a helium detecting instrument that aided in identifying underground uranium ore deposits. 
He was a man who took great pleasure in his family, his work, and his hobbies. He loved to fish and was a talented painter. He loved his vegetable garden and showered family and friends with tomatoes, zucchini, basil, grapes, and the best carrots. He especially loved his wife's cooking and was always very appreciative of food.
A memorial celebration will be held at The Fountains, 3203 N. 15th Street, in the Juniper Room on Sunday, September 9th, at 4:00 p.m. 
Donations in his memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders , Grey Gourmet of Grand Junction, or a charity meaningful to you.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Ruzycki, please visit our floral store.