Ruth W. Osika

RUTH W. OSIKA – Concluding a wonderful life of 94 years, Ruth W. Osika passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, May 27, 2012, at the Groton Community Health Care Facility where she had been a resident for six months. Preceding her in death were her parents, Edward Duffy and Carolyn Duffy, of West Babylon, NY, her brothers Edward Duffy and Robert Duffy, her loving husband of 43 years, George J. Osika, and dear friend and subsequent partner of 17 years, Gus Geyer.

She is survived by her oldest son, David Osika and his wife Cynthia Osika of Dayton, OH, Dennis Osika, and his wife Louise Osika, of Lansing, NY, and her daughter, Dr. Susan (Osika) Burkhart of Clarksburg, MO. Ruth’s youngest son, Steven Osika, preceded her, passing away at 29 years of age as a victim of a hit and run auto accident. She is also survived by six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Ruth was born in Brooklyn, NY May 18, 1918, and resided in a number of locations over the years including: Uniondale, NY, Sayville, NY, Coram, NY, Clarksburg, MO, Ithaca, NY, and Lansing, NY. More recently, she lived four years with her daughter, Susan, three years in the Longview Senior Living Community in Ithaca, and four years with her son, Dennis, and her daughter-in-law, Louise, in Lansing, NY.

Ruth had a zest for life, and was blessed with an “upbeat Irish personality”. She was “the glue of her family”, being a warm and dedicated mother. She was also a multi-talented and selfless individual who had special concern for the poor. During WWII, while her husband, George, served in the Navy, she successfully took over his job as a Prudential insurance agent. She and George were active advocates for social justice issues, and worked two years in the slums of Argentina helping improve the lives of the native poor living in urban squalor. She played a key role in supporting her husband in establishing Maryknoll Nursery, a family owned and operated plant nursery and landscaping business in Sayville, NY. Ruth also worked many years prior to retirement as a hospital social worker. She clearly made a small but positive impact on mankind.

In celebration of her life a funeral Mass for friends and family will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, 347 Ridge Road, Lansing, NY 14882 at 4:00p on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who may wish to remember Ruth in the form of a contribution to kindly consider the Tompkins County Catholic Charities Peace & Justice Ministries Program, 324 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607-272-5062). Perkins Funeral Home assisted the family. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com