Cyprian A. Baruffi, 68, departed this life Monday, March 3, 2025 at his residence in Kenosha, Wisconsin.Loving Brother, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin and Godfather. A devout Servant of God. He was our protector on Earth, and prayed for all our sins.
He was born in Highland Park, Illinois to parents Gilbert and Eileen (Moroney) Baruffi
He was smart, and funny, and kind – making friends wherever he went. Referred to as a “quintessential prankster” by his siblings, they remembered their Mother’s stories of him “headed to school in the morning, and if passed by a dog walking in the opposite direction, would change course to follow wherever it was headed.” (Which was obviously more important than school) He was a bit of an explorer, and preferred adventure over the mundane, which lead to so many great stories, and therefore all the best memories.
He worked at Highland Park Hospital as a Plant Operations Technician early in his life, and then transitioned into the medical field as a phlebotomist at St Mary-Corwin and Centura Health Hospitals in Pueblo Colorado. In more recent years, he moved back to Illinois, continuing in this field at Condell Hospital in Libertyville. His specialty was drawing blood from the premature infants in NICU, always being called in because of his extreme expertise to not only keep baby calm, but to keep “mom and dad” calm as well.
In 1996 he moved to Colorado and began to attend services at an Eastern Orthodox Church. He catechized for two years then was Baptized into the Faith. In 2000 he was ordained as a Church Reader, the position he currently held. He served at St. George Orthodox Church in Racine Wisconsin before his passing. He was very elated to be chosen as the Godfather to several children from the different parishes he attended, as well as his own niece Callie (Theodora), and 3 granddaughters, Shelby (Justina), Jorjah (Georgia), and Lena (Katya).
He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his 3 granddaughters. Whenever he would visit, he’d always remember to share his Tic-Tacs with their pet horse Gunner, and make sure to treat their dog Colt with a Milkbone straight from his lips. Every moment with his family brought him so much joy, and he was so very proud of all their accomplishments, always telling a funny or cute story from his latest visits with the grands.
He devoted so much of his life to The Church, Glorifying our Lord, but in spare time he was a passionate firearm hobbyist, and would “squeeze off a few rounds” whenever he could. He loved teaching the family firearm safety, and enjoyed target practice time with them every chance he could.
He is survived by his 2 daughters Chera (Christopher), Melissa (Travis) and granddaughters Shelby, Jorjah, and Lena. Surviving siblings are brothers Joseph (Bobbie), and Thomas (Marci), and sisters Katy (Joe) Holly (Larry), Mary Anne, and Susie (Rob), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his mother, Eileen (Moroney), and father Gilbert.
Funeral Services for Cyprian will be held on Tuesday March 11th at 10:00 AM, at St George Serbian Orthodox Church (826 State St.) in Racine Wisconsin. Interment will follow at St. Nikola Cemetery in Caledonia. Memorials would be appreciated to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Cyprian’s memory.
