Tony Rugh

It is with great sadness that the family of Tony Rugh announces his passing on Tuesday January 1, 2019, at the age of 37.  Tony will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Madyson, his parents Karen and Michael, his twin Eric (Elizabeth), his brother Eddie (Jeni), his nieces and nephews, Kennedy, Caiden, Jade and Maddox.  He loved his daughter Mady more than words can express and was so proud of the young woman she is today.  Tony was in part the man he became due to the love and guidance of his father Michael. He loved and admired him so very much.  He was his mother's baby boy, born just two quick minutes after his twin.  Coming feet first into this world, off and running, straight out of the gate.  His brothers were everything to him. His twin Eric and he had such a close, unbreakable bond.  Wombmates and beyond, they have been together most every day since birth. He loved his brother Eddie fiercely.  Though three years older, they were just as close as if they'd all been triplets instead of twins. Another great joy of his were his nieces and nephews.  There is nothing he wouldn't do for any of them and he took such great joy in bringing them little gifts regularly.  He loved seeing their faces light up.

A native of Hilliard, Ohio, Tony attended first Davidson and then Darby High School where he had a very successful wrestling career.  He was an avid baseball player as a child and softball player as an adult, playing in several different leagues. Forever a hometown boy, he and his twin Eric built a family business in the heart of Hilliard, always giving back to the community in so many ways.

Tony struggled with addiction from his late teens thru his late twenties.  He found recovery on November 13, 2008 thru the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous.  From that date forward, he began an amazing journey of service to others. He was a home group member of Dogs Without a Roof at the South Ohio meeting hall.  He did it all...from serving hot dogs at Founders Day, to organizing Soberfest, and being deeply involved with the annual Dog's Secret Santa gift drive for families in need.  He picked people up for meetings, drove them home from meetings, lifted them up when they were down.  He would absolutely give the shirt off his back to anyone who asked. He had the gift of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room, that he was there just for you.  He loved everybody with his whole heart, and everybody loved him. He was a constant force of light and good will, both in and out the recovery community and his legacy will live on thru all the lives he touched.

A celebration of Tony's life will be held on Saturday, January 12^th from 1 p.m to 4 p.m., with funeral service immediately following at Tidd's Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich Street, Hilliard.