Joseph Ruffalo, JR.
July 6, 1948 – May 3, 2022
Who Was Joe Ruffalo to Me?
Who is Joe Ruffalo? Some may say he is a friend, a mentor, a teacher, and a Federationist. To me, he is all of that and more.
I first met Joe Ruffalo in 2002, when I attended my first National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ) state convention. Since then, I slowly grew to know Joe by participating in the Leadership Education Advocacy Determination (LEAD) program, a program run by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind, up until 2006, along with attending the state convention every year. Joe was one of the program’s mentors, and through his guidance, I grew into the confident blind leader I am today. When we first met, I was a shy teenager getting used to being a blind individual. At that point, I hadn’t yet been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome; that wouldn’t come until 2008. I just knew I often felt like an outsider, someone on the fringes of both the sighted and blind communities. 20 years later, thanks to Joe’s guidance and grooming, I have blossomed into a more outgoing and confident individual who is blind with Asperger’s within the Federation family.
Joe Ruffalo wasn’t just a leader in the National Federation of the Blind—he was a powerful presence, a mentor, and a guiding light to countless blind individuals across the country. But to me, he was even more than that. He was one of the first people who truly saw potential in me when I didn’t yet know how to see it in myself.
Joe had a way of making people feel seen—not in a superficial way, but in a deeply affirming way. He greeted me with his booming voice and that unmistakable Jersey charisma. He asked questions, listened intently, and made it clear that I mattered. That moment stuck with me—and it was the beginning of something life-changing.
A Leader Who Gave Others a Voice
One of Joe’s most remarkable qualities was how he lifted others up. He didn’t hoard the spotlight—he handed it to others and encouraged them to shine. Through the Leadership Education Advocacy Determination (LEAD) program, which was run by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Joe helped blind individuals find their voice, their confidence, and their purpose. He served as a mentor in the program, and his personal encouragement was transformative.
Thanks to LEAD and Joe’s mentorship, I began participating more at state conventions and NFB meetings. I watched how he led with humor, heart, and hustle. Over time, I started to find my own leadership voice, inspired by his example.
A couple of years after graduating from the Louisiana Center for the Blind (2007), I offered to assist Joe during a couple of state conventions. From just that bit of involvement, Joe sparked my leadership growth in the Federation. One of my first positions included my being appointed as the assistant secretary of the At-Large Chapter. After a few months, then in true Joe fashion, he graduated me to being the secretary of the At-Large Chapter and the affiliate assistant secretary. Wow! For him to have believed that much in a kid he hardly knew. Since then, Joe gradually gave me little assignments to do things throughout the affiliate leading up to the 2012 state convention, where I was elected as affiliate secretary. I held that position until February 2016, when I was appointed as the affiliate treasurer and web coordinator. Still overwhelmed and thankful to Joe’s confidence in me. At the 2016 state convention, I was elected as the affiliate treasurer, a position that I held until the 2018 convention, when I had to move to Pennsylvania. Throughout my leadership growth, Joe recognized that I had certain talents and knowledge that could be applied to the various roles and assignments he handed to me over the years.
Joe’s Continued Support: A New Role as Affiliate Bookkeeper
In January 2019, Joe appointed me as the affiliate bookkeeper to assist the affiliate treasurer in recording transactions into the affiliate’s QuickBooks file. This role allowed me to contribute to the financial integrity of the organization, something Joe always emphasized as essential to its success. It was a privilege to work closely with Joe during this time, as he continued to guide me through the intricacies of managing the affiliate’s finances.
When Linda Melendez was elected affiliate president in 2020, my appointment as bookkeeper was carried over into her presidency. It was an honor to continue supporting the affiliate in this new phase of leadership, contributing to the foundation that Joe had helped build. Although my role as bookkeeper was a shift from my previous position as treasurer, the experience I gained from managing the affiliate’s finances in the treasurer role proved invaluable. I was able to carry forward the same principles of financial integrity and transparency while adapting to the evolving needs of the affiliate under Linda’s leadership.
In this new capacity, I continued to work closely with the affiliate leadership, assisting in tracking financial transactions, helping with budgeting, and providing regular financial updates. My understanding of the affiliate’s financial landscape, developed during my time as treasurer, allowed me to make valuable contributions as bookkeeper, ensuring that the organization’s financial records remained accurate and up to date.
As I continued in the role of bookkeeper, I was proud to see the affiliate’s financial practices evolve, guided by the strong foundation Joe had laid and supported by the leadership of both Joe and Linda. My experience as affiliate treasurer had prepared me well for the challenges I faced as bookkeeper, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to continue supporting the affiliate’s financial health during this exciting period of growth and leadership change.
Blind with Vision: Joe’s Influence on My Life’s Mission
In 2011, I officially launched Mackey Enterprises, my company to provide data entry and bookkeeping services. Later, I expanded the business to include website content management—thanks to encouragement from Joe Ruffalo and other NFB leaders. Some of my clients happened to be blind, which only deepened my commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
While I launched the business in 2011, I didn’t start actively promoting it until 2015. That year, after a workout session at the gym, my trainer reminded me that even without eyesight, I still had the vision to perform things in a different way. That moment stuck with me and inspired the tagline for Mackey Enterprises: “Blind with Vision.” I began designing flyers and business cards and ultimately launched the website that same year.
The tagline—“Blind with Vision”—was directly inspired by the NFB’s philosophy and by Joe’s example. Joe taught me that blindness is not the characteristic that defines your future. It’s just one part of who we are—and it never limits what we can achieve. His life was living proof of that. He gave everything he had to the Federation and to the people in it, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations.
Since becoming web coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey, I went on to serve as web coordinator for 14 additional NFB affiliated websites through 2022. As of today, I maintain 8 NFB affiliated websites in addition to NFBNJ’s site. I also serve as web coordinator for the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association (MABGA). These opportunities have allowed me to support blind organizations across the country, strengthen our shared message, and make accessible information more available for our communities.
Joe’s Battle with Cancer: A Testament to His Strength
In mid-2020, Joe began a difficult and courageous battle with cancer, a consequence of his exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam. This diagnosis marked the beginning of a challenging and emotionally charged journey, not just for Joe but for all of us who had been fortunate enough to learn from him and work alongside him. Joe’s health had always been robust, marked by his unyielding drive and determination. But cancer, unfortunately, had begun to chip away at that strength.
Despite the prognosis, Joe never allowed the disease to define him. In true Joe fashion, he remained committed to his work and the Federation, continuing to inspire those around him. Even as his health declined, his spirit remained unbroken. He kept up with his responsibilities as much as he could, always with that familiar warmth and caring attitude that endeared him to everyone who knew him. His leadership didn’t waver, and his belief in his fellow Federation members remained unwavering, even in the face of his personal struggle.
Throughout the following months, Joe underwent numerous treatments and surgeries. He fought with everything he had, as was his nature. There were times when his energy and resilience astounded those who were close to him. Despite the toll the disease took on his body, Joe maintained his sense of humor, his sharp wit, and his unwavering commitment to helping others. He often joked that he was “fighting like hell,” and true to form, he did just that.
Joe’s strength was evident not only in the way he handled his illness but also in the way he continued to mentor and support the people around him, particularly in the Federation. Even in the toughest of times, he never let go of his mission to uplift others. He stayed in touch with Federation members, offering advice, encouragement, and guidance. His ability to listen and provide thoughtful counsel, even when battling his own pain, was nothing short of remarkable.
Sadly, in early 2022, the cancer returned, and this time, it came back with greater aggression. Joe had been doing everything possible to keep the disease at bay, but by the beginning of that year, it was clear that the fight was becoming more difficult. The treatments, once hopeful, no longer had the same effect, and Joe’s condition worsened. Despite the valiant efforts, it was clear that Joe’s time with us was running short.
Even as Joe’s physical health deteriorated, his mental clarity and his ability to impact those around him did not waver. He continued to impart lessons on resilience, leadership, and what it means to live with purpose, even in the most challenging of circumstances. His ability to remain positive and focus on the good he had done throughout his life was a testament to his character.
As Joe’s battle with cancer drew to a close, we all began to reflect on the immense impact he had on so many lives. His tireless dedication to the Federation and his steadfast belief in the potential of others were undeniable. It became clear that while cancer might take his physical body, it could never take his legacy—a legacy that would live on in the countless people he mentored, the programs he helped build, and the community he strengthened.
Though his final days were fraught with physical pain, Joe never stopped being Joe. He remained a leader to the very end, guiding those who were closest to him through one of life’s toughest challenges. His bravery in facing this battle, and his refusal to let it define him, left an indelible mark on all of us. His family, his friends, and his fellow Federationists will never forget the courage with which he faced the end of his journey.
The Final Visit: A Farewell Full of Meaning
On April 27, 2022, my mom and I made the drive to Bloomfield, New Jersey, to visit him at home. We knew it was likely our last chance to see him.
Joe was not in very good physical shape that day and was mostly nonverbal, but he was still Joe. Even in his weakened state, he welcomed us with warmth and gratitude. We mainly reflected on memories—on the journey, the growth, and the shared belief that we could all make a difference.
It was incredibly emotional, but also peaceful—like closing a circle that began 20 years earlier. I told him how much he had meant to me. How much his mentorship changed my life. How I hoped to carry forward the work he had so passionately done.
Less than a week later, on May 3, 2022, I was at work at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading, going about my usual routine, when I opened an email and learned of Joe’s passing. I froze. A wave of sadness and gratitude washed over me. I had been lucky enough to say goodbye—and I now carried the responsibility of honoring his legacy.
Carrying the Torch
Joe Ruffalo’s legacy lives on—not just in formal titles or recorded speeches, but in the people he mentored, the lives he touched, and the values he instilled in us. He believed in people before they believed in themselves. He saw leadership in unexpected places. He fought tirelessly for the rights and dignity of blind Americans. And he showed us all what it meant to be “blind with vision.”
He often said, “We care, we share, we grow, we make a difference.” Joe lived that motto every day. And now it’s up to us to carry it forward.
In January 2024, I was honored to be elected president of the NFB of Pennsylvania Greater Berks Chapter. I know Joe would have been proud, and I’ve been intentionally incorporating his leadership style into how I serve—uplifting others, creating opportunities, and always leading with heart.
Joe, thank you for everything. I will continue the work because you taught me how. You gave me purpose, direction, and the courage to lead.
Rest in peace, Joe. Your light continues to shine in all of us.