Word received (and confirmed) that Jr. Ruffin passed away last night at his home. |
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Manual Ruffin 1972 (From Jim Cole)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Contributors
Recent Comments
Retirement Fund
Favorite Links
- Circus Historical Society
- Circus News
- Circus Fans Association of America
- Showfolks of Sarasota
- Arkansas Elephant Sanctuary
- Jim's "All My Days are Circus Days"
- Pat Cashin's Clown Alley
- Bill Strong's Yesterday's Towns
- Circus Links
- Circus Model Builders
- Magic Gallery
- Tim Perkins Blog
- Trumble's Carson & Barnes Blog
- Dick Dykes
- Wade G Burck
- Chuck Mayo
- The Circus Blog
- Jackie LeClaire
Subscribe
Blog Archive
- March 2023 (15)
- February 2022 (5)
- November 2021 (33)
- October 2021 (3)
- September 2021 (61)
- August 2021 (37)
- May 2021 (39)
- April 2021 (10)
- March 2021 (17)
- February 2021 (103)
- January 2021 (137)
- December 2020 (21)
- November 2020 (76)
- October 2020 (151)
- September 2020 (73)
- August 2020 (65)
- July 2020 (181)
- June 2020 (174)
- May 2020 (225)
- April 2020 (181)
- March 2020 (124)
- February 2020 (221)
- December 2019 (36)
- November 2019 (77)
- October 2019 (166)
- September 2019 (146)
- August 2019 (62)
- July 2019 (250)
- June 2019 (238)
- May 2019 (311)
- April 2019 (355)
- March 2019 (367)
- February 2019 (313)
- January 2019 (373)
- December 2018 (377)
- November 2018 (348)
- October 2018 (378)
- September 2018 (381)
- August 2018 (542)
- July 2018 (514)
- June 2018 (153)
- May 2018 (4)
- April 2018 (3)
- March 2018 (110)
- February 2018 (296)
- January 2018 (590)
- December 2017 (569)
- November 2017 (587)
- October 2017 (565)
- September 2017 (405)
- August 2017 (509)
- July 2017 (575)
- June 2017 (558)
- May 2017 (653)
- April 2017 (562)
- March 2017 (507)
- February 2017 (451)
- January 2017 (516)
- December 2016 (367)
- November 2016 (479)
- October 2016 (449)
- September 2016 (517)
- August 2016 (427)
- July 2016 (400)
- June 2016 (360)
- May 2016 (272)
- April 2016 (374)
- March 2016 (481)
- February 2016 (405)
- January 2016 (429)
- December 2015 (240)
- November 2015 (381)
- October 2015 (477)
- September 2015 (461)
- August 2015 (427)
- July 2015 (463)
- June 2015 (421)
- May 2015 (350)
- April 2015 (416)
- March 2015 (467)
- February 2015 (441)
- January 2015 (460)
- December 2014 (408)
- November 2014 (379)
- October 2014 (416)
- September 2014 (378)
- August 2014 (413)
- July 2014 (414)
- June 2014 (482)
- May 2014 (429)
- April 2014 (367)
- March 2014 (458)
- February 2014 (406)
- January 2014 (390)
- December 2013 (508)
- November 2013 (353)
- October 2013 (423)
- September 2013 (468)
- August 2013 (536)
- July 2013 (490)
- June 2013 (447)
- May 2013 (411)
- April 2013 (401)
- March 2013 (407)
- February 2013 (372)
- January 2013 (432)
- December 2012 (413)
- November 2012 (388)
- October 2012 (398)
- September 2012 (376)
- August 2012 (387)
- July 2012 (382)
- June 2012 (351)
- May 2012 (356)
- April 2012 (367)
- March 2012 (351)
- February 2012 (336)
- January 2012 (410)
- December 2011 (393)
- November 2011 (283)
- October 2011 (333)
- September 2011 (363)
- August 2011 (356)
- July 2011 (336)
- June 2011 (363)
- May 2011 (351)
- April 2011 (324)
- March 2011 (327)
- February 2011 (253)
- January 2011 (368)
- December 2010 (359)
- November 2010 (315)
- October 2010 (342)
- September 2010 (345)
- August 2010 (352)
- July 2010 (344)
- June 2010 (335)
- May 2010 (338)
- April 2010 (321)
- March 2010 (369)
- February 2010 (318)
- January 2010 (338)
- December 2009 (358)
- November 2009 (338)
- October 2009 (354)
- September 2009 (368)
- August 2009 (354)
- July 2009 (401)
- June 2009 (403)
- May 2009 (375)
- April 2009 (346)
- March 2009 (406)
- February 2009 (341)
- January 2009 (353)
- December 2008 (351)
- November 2008 (362)
- October 2008 (391)
- September 2008 (375)
- August 2008 (382)
- July 2008 (324)
- June 2008 (349)
- May 2008 (375)
- April 2008 (383)
- March 2008 (369)
- February 2008 (426)
- January 2008 (457)
- December 2007 (360)
- November 2007 (369)
- October 2007 (359)
- September 2007 (361)
- August 2007 (370)
- July 2007 (341)
- June 2007 (307)
- May 2007 (298)
- April 2007 (391)
- March 2007 (374)
- February 2007 (326)
- January 2007 (385)
- December 2006 (343)
- November 2006 (252)
- October 2006 (213)
- September 2006 (174)
- August 2006 (180)
- July 2006 (176)
- June 2006 (155)
- May 2006 (178)
- April 2006 (170)
- March 2006 (149)
- February 2006 (134)
- January 2006 (154)
- December 2005 (135)
- November 2005 (137)
- October 2005 (113)
- September 2005 (100)
- August 2005 (102)
- July 2005 (103)
- June 2005 (43)
26 comments:
Junior will be remembered for many things,But first of all his great smile and personality.No matter what he always greeted you with that.
To me he was a giant.I recall seeing him in St.Cloud,Fl with Hoxie many times.
We didnt become acquainted until several decades later.He was a walking encyclopedia of circus knowlegdge.
He was always with it and for it.
Greatly missed he will be.
At least he lived to see his wheel
dedicated in the "Ring of Fame"
May the Prince rest in peace
he was one of the most gentle soul person anyone could meet he had the time to talk to you anytime . i met him when he was in the Hoxie show yrs later cross paths with him in the Ringling show and other places along the way . he will be misses .CleanRaul
When I was a child and JUniors act opened Hoxie Brothers Circus it was awesome.You knew you were in for the start of a magical day under the big top.
In my opinion Junior should be in the Circus Hall Of Fame.Few personified the circus than this man.He was an all around asset to any show he worked for.I oft times wonder while on Hoxie how he kept up the pace.
He told me once how Clyde Beatty Junior was jealous of him in a good natured way.And of the deep respect and admiration of Clyde that he had.He always spoke of how nice Beatty was to him and others.
He was proud of working for Vargas and how Cliff was amazed at how fast he could be the big top up
as boss canvasman.
He came up the hard way but youd never hear him complain.
He was so proud and happy when he was inducted into the ring of fame.
Rest in peace my friend!!
CleanRaul, I believe you described Junior perfectly as a gentle soul. Though I only knew him over the last five years, I'm glad to have had the opportunity of documenting his life and accomplishments on video and in print. Along the way we became close friends. A lot of circus producers, performers, working men and fans maintained links to Junior over the years. The honors and recognition that came his way in recent years were much deserved. As Junior told me after his Ring of Fame induction in January, "Nobody gave me that plaque. I EARNED it!"
The last time I saw The Prince was when he stopped by the house with Larry Larry's cat act in tow returning from the RBBB's Japan Tour.
Went with him to get supplies for the return trip to Fl.
Also during the time this photo was taken I sold him several twisted willow whip stocks,My side line business back then.Rest In Peace old Friend.
Does anyone know the date of the National Geographic that Junior was in? I remember a two page picture of Junior and his lionesses. In the 60's sometime?
Rest in peace, Prince Bogino.
Junior called me the day that he found out, to tell me that he was going to be inducted.
Thanks be to God that he was inducted before he died.
To pursue his dreams,he overcame obstacles that we can only imagine.
This is a sadness that truly strikes home, coming only a day after learning of the loss of Vicki Hanneford, who was family to my friend Kim Baer.
It's a time to remember kindly Milton Berle, asking that if honors are to be given to our luminaries, give them in their lifetime. "Let them smell the roses before they're gone," he pled. I was grateful to be among the many who congratulated Junior on his election to the Ring of Fame. He sent me his notification and details of his honor. Let's also thank those who nominated Junior and saw his honor come through. Bill Johnston noted in his bio of Frank Phillips that there are but a few like Clyde Beatty, Mabel Stark, and Terrell Jacobs among wild animal trainers, but many skilled, hardworking journeyman trainers who seldom receive due recognition. Thankfully, Prince Manuel Ruffin will rest in peace, his place of honor assured.
The National Geographic with Junior was March 1972.This in responce to anonymous.
The Hoxie show article featuring Prince Bogino is in the May 1972 National Geographic. For the other two prestigious circus treatments in that magazine, both by Bev Kelley, look for the issues of October 1931, and March 1948.
I met Junior in the 1970's when he worked transportation on Ringling Blue. He was always kind and jovial, never to busy to smile and say hello. Junior was a very positive and intelligent person, and I am so glad I met him. Blessings on him - he lived a good life and was loved by many. I've just learned of his death, and am so sorry.
My typo. The Hoxie issue of National Geographic is March '72, as William first stated.
I met Prince for the first time in Thompson Manitoba in the 70s. I watched him present his cats, care for them and load the truck. During this whirl wind of activity he found time to talk about his animals and his profound love of circus. That talk over 30 years ago comes to my mind so clearly because all my subsequent talks with him carried the same gentle kindness and love.
I always called him Prince because I think he liked it and to my mind it was a fitting tag. In latter years he would phone and regale we with wonderful stories of a circus age which has slipped away. These stories I now pass along to my kids, however always acknowledging their true author.
Prince it was a pleasure and a delight to have know you and in testiment to one who was always "with it and for it, may all your days be circus days"
I knew Junior both on Vargas and Ringling. The statements kind, jovial, and carefree best fit this man. When he fell of the flats on Ringling and broke his leg, it slowed him down, but not much. I went to my first Ring of Fame induction this year just to see him. When he saw me, he ran through the crowd and threw his arm's around me and said, "I am going to have Rob(Gargantua Circus Fan extraordinaire from Philadelphia) keep an eye on you. I know you are only here to try to steal my award." I laughed and told him it wasn't necessary to hire security, but not to be careless and lay it down, because it would disappear. We had some great laughs that day, and I have never seen a prouder man, and I am sure John Herriott echo's those sentiments. "With it and for it," until the end.
Wade Burck
Well spoken Wade! Junior was a great friend to all who love circus, What a proud and well deserved honor it was for him to be inducted into the Sarasota Ring of Fame earlier this year! He had so many of his wonderful friends and fans there to support him.
Jimmy Cole
Junior started out as a cage boy on Clyde Beatty Circus and I met him that winter on the Shrine dates that Beatty played. He was a pleasant fellow, immediately likeable and was very interested to be around all the animal people. He made Beatty's whip poppers and started making mine as he had the thread, beeswax, etc. and liked doing it. He caught on quick to the circus lifestyle and it would be his way of life all through the years. He was one of those people who become a jack of all trades and it would serve him well. He had a big laugh and jovial demeaner, very well met and enjoyable to be around. He was interested in circus history and its people and he could cut up jackpots with the best of us. No one really paid much attention that he was black and unless someone was predigioused he was easily accepted in our fraternity. I trouped with him on Hoxie where he was the ramrod of the working deptments both ewhite and colored. He was also the shade tree mechanivc and with baling wire, wrench and scredrivers got those junkers on the lot. He ran the stakedriver, worked a small four lion act and when the elephant boss blew he capably worked the nice five big elephant act put together by Rex Williams. He liked that and my pretty young daughter styled the act with him. We would laugh about the fact in the south here would be this cute chick in the ring with this big black guy. But junior did pull himself up and was a very capable showguy. He would be canvas boss on Vargas and transportation on Ringling, plus be around various cat acts over the years. Frankly I was quite surprised when he played the race card during thetime he bwas considered for the Ring Of FAme. That he was blackballed in joining our Showfolks Club is not true as he dould easily made application to join and any number of us would have vouched for. him. It seems to me that all of this was politically motovated and certainly not the Junior we all knew. Was bhe a circus "super start"? certainly not. Was he a great cat trainer? Not at all. He was a very versatile person and indeed is the kind of loyal employee that any circus owner would look for. He loved the circus and its people and certainly made his mark. So many of us will always remember Jun iour. Our only recognition of him was Junior and "Prince Bogino" was only the announceme nt. He had a marvelous ability to characterize so many circus people. Some of them like Vargas or Rex or Feld were hilarious.sincerely John Herriott
Thank you John
No one could have said it better
He was easy to like & befriend
Just for the record it's spelled
MANUEL RUFFIN on the Ring Of Fame
I called one of the funeral homes in the North Port,Fl area.They said it looked like there would be a funeral for Junior.But no details until Friday or so.
I've heard that Junior's funeral is going to cost $7,000 according to the article in the North Port Herald Tribue, and it seems there is no money to pay for his funeral. Please Google the North Port Herald Tribune, and you'll see for yourself. I plan to kick in some cash if needed, and I hope the friends the Prince left behind will do so as well.
Please cut and paste the following link:
http://www.yoursun.com/sunnews/northport/1489109-290/sunnewspaperscircustrainerruffindies.html.csp
Money is needed to pay for Junior's funeral. Information on how to donate is in the article about Junior's passing.
http://yoursun.com/sunnews/northport
I think this is a better link regarding Junior. Sorry to have given you all the previous link, which does not appear to work.
Col. Herriott,
Thanks for mentioning the deplorable "race issue." I thought if I opened the door a crack, you would step in, and you did with class. Hell, I can't be the one ranging thing's up all the time. LOL That wasn't Prince who threw the race card on the table. In a sense, yes he did, but he was agitated and pushed in that direction. The folks who convinced him to go that route were at the induction that day. Prince was treated as fairly and squarely in the circus as anyone would be. He knew, appreciated it, and loved the circus for it. As he told me that day, "White boy, I will always regret the day I acted like a "N***er. The circus was always so good to me. It was my family." You'll insert the word yourself.
Wade Burck
A little resarch on the previous comments regarding Jr's funeral.
For those who wish to contrbute, checks can be sent to and made payable to:
David J. Garofalo
4008 Longwell Lane
Northport, FL 34286
note: Manual Ruffin Funeral
Mr Ruffin was a proud citizen of our great city. On March 8th 2010 we presented him with a key to the City.
Click on this link and then click on item 2a when it comes up and you can watch the video.
www.cityofnorthport.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=127
The family is still in need of donations for the funeral. Please help if you can and repost this message.
You can contact me at 941-302-1464
David Garofalo
Chairman of the North Port City Commission
Post a Comment