Johnny Ruffo farewelled in emotional memorial
Johnny Ruffo's friends, family and co-stars have gathered at Balcatta Senior High School in Perth on Saturday to bid farewell to the former Home and Away star at his memorial service.
Ruffo tragically lost his battle with brain cancer on November 10 at the age of 35.
Home and Away co-star Lynne McGranger, Guy Sebastian, and former Seven journalist, Mark Gibson were among the attendees at the service.
McGranger, who delivered the eulogy, recalled Ruffo’s sense of fun and humility. She also shared an emotional tribute on Instagram after the memorial.
“Said ‘goodbye for now’ to this magnificent human today,” she recounted.
“So many emotions, so much love, so blessed to be included in his huge and crazy family. So many people came to say goodbye, so many more couldn’t get here.
“We cried and laughed and danced and sang and ate and drank and hugged and cried and …. - exactly how he would have wanted it.
“Fly high my friend, I hope you know how much you’re loved," she ended her post.
The actress was a really close friend of Ruffo's and received messages of support from fans and co-star Ada Nicodemou who commented: “What a tough day Lynne, I know how hard it would’ve been.”
“You were such a wonderful friend to Johnny and he loved you very much.
"He will always be in our hearts, he touched everyone he came in contact with, just a beautiful human. Rest in peace our people friend.”
Ruffo's girlfriend, Tahnee Sims was also in attendance, and shared that his humour stayed with him to the very end, and and that his “big cheeky grin had brightened even the darkest of days," reported Perth Now.
Sims, who loved and supported Ruffo through two brain cancer diagnoses, couldn't hold back her tears as she shared that the couple were determined to pack as much joy, love and laughter into every day.
“I know that not everyone gets to experience that kind of love, which is why I will be forever grateful,” she said.
“John liked to say I was his guardian angel. But I think soulmates is more accurate. Everything I gave, he gave back tenfold. And more often than not he was my source of strength and courage.
“For six and a half years I watched him go through a hideous cancer diagnosis, dealing with setback after setback and still act with courage and gratitude right to the very end.
“I will miss every single thing about John ... Mostly I will miss the way he always managed to make me laugh, no matter the occasion or how inappropriate the joke ... until we meet again John, I love you.”
Images: Instagram