Michael Albert Guy Ruffle (21 Jan 1949 - 22 Nov 2019)
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Michael Albert GuySt Barnabas Hospice Trust (Lincolnshire)
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Michael Albert GuyLincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charity
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Born on 21st January 1949 in Kelvedon, Essex, Michael was a bright child and one of the first to do A-levels in his school.
A member of the air cadets, Michael also enjoyed football, coaching and cycling with his friends. His intelligence enabled him to join the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, a job he really loved.
However, the poor salary meant he had to look elsewhere, and he soon found work at Marconi Research, where he traversed Britain to put up aerials.
Having reached the ceiling at Marconi, he moved to Essex Ambulance Service, where he rose to Training Officer and met his wife, Hazel. Noting cheaper house prices in Lincolnshire, Michael and Hazel moved to Lincoln.
He continued to rise and soon became the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Ambulance Service. He regularly appeared on local media during the 1989 ambulance dispute, stopped Lincolnshire from being merged with Nottinghamshire, took over South Humberside, established the First Responder scheme across the county and set up and launched the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance - the Ambucopter.
In 2000 he took early retirement and began a new career living out a childhood dream to drive buses. Working for many local firms, he found his feet at Hunt's Coaches of Alford, a firm he really loved.
Then he launched his own firm, MR 5 Star Coach Travel, which became a successful feature of the Lincoln coach market.
Mike was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and Hazel passed away later that year after a long battle against Early-Onset Alzheimers. On 22 November 2019 Mike passed away from cancer.
wrote
Worked with Mike in the 80's, during my service with the Lincolnshire Ambulance Service, best chief of all my service.
RIP.
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wrote
I remember Mike’s days at the Ambulance Service when I was with the Health Authority. Always professional and fair through some tough times. We saw in the new millennium together at Ambulance HQ, thankfully an uneventful night!
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wrote
Rest in peace uncle mike from Terry Clare and riley
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donated £20 in memory of Michael
Will always be in our thoughts. Remembering happy school days.
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donated in memory of Michael
In memory of Michael Ruffle, with love from Aunty Joan
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donated in memory of Michael
Having worked with Mike for Lincolnshire Ambulance Service I know how committed he was in raising standards and delivering care to patients. His was passionate about unifying Lincolnshire and worked tirelessly to return North and North East Lincolnshire into a single service. Mike had many fine qualities as a manager and professional but was more importantly a decent caring human being. RIP Mike
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donated in memory of Michael
In memory of Mike, a man who overcome many obstacles to provide an excellent caring service to the people of Lincolnshire.
A good friend and colleague.
RIP.
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donated in memory of Michael
Michael made an immense contribution to the success of the (former) Lincolnshire Ambulance Service. He cared enormously about patients and staff alike, and leaves so many of us who worked with him with the best of memories. Rest in peace, Michael.
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donated £10 in memory of Michael
In memory of Mike - a pleasure to have known and worked with him- RIP
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wrote
So sorry to hear this very sad news. Had a lot of respect for Mike who worked his way through the ranks to Chief Ambulance Executive, our thoughts are with the Family. RIP
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Keith Brookes made a donation
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Keith Brookes attending the funeral
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Keith Brookes donated in memory of Michael
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donated £10 in memory of Michael
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wrote
So sorry to hear about mike passing remember him well from Applebys lincoln my late husband alan bradley set mike on as a driver had many good laughs rip mike
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donated £50 in memory of Michael
A beloved Hunts Coaches driver who will be missed.
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donated £50 in memory of Michael
A beloved Hunts Coaches Driver
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