Douglas E. Rue

Douglas E. Rue, 82, of Medina, NY, entered into rest peacefully at home on Sun., Jan. 10, 2021. To know Doug was to love him, and by his tremendous, yet gentle influence, he headed the big family that was so integral to his life.

Born on Oct. 9, 1938 in Amery, Wis., he was the son of the late Floyd and Violet (Olufson) Rue. Doug attended school in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and then in 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following an honorable Navy discharge, he moved to New York and served in the New York State Police from 1962 to 1982. Following his retirement from the police, Doug owned and operated the Villager Locksmith and Alarm, invented the Sump Alert, installed locks and alarms for Best Lock and Security, and served as Code Enforcement Officer for the Village of Medina, and the Towns of Ridgeway, Yates and the Village of Lyndonville.

Doug was a man of many talents. In his youth, he was a member of the Clowns International and was a trampoline artist. He held a multi engine, commercial pilot license and flew again at the age of 80!  He had a quick wit, great sense of humor and loved to tell stories and was the master in the art of bargaining.  Doug was a longtime member of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school, served as Church Council President, sang in the choir and helped in establishing the Medina Food Pantry. He loved to sing at special family celebrations, often including Kevin Clark at the piano. In his retirement years, he could be found in the morning at Rudy’s “Round Table.” He was an avid reader, enjoyed police shows and watching movies with his dog on his lap.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Mary Lou Rue; two sisters: Sharon (Craig) Rue Lewis, Barbara (Dick) Loeffler, all of Minn., his children: Jacquelyn (John) Lundgard, Jonathan (Christine) Rue; and his beloved “Rue Crew”: Wende Nicosia, Jill (Paul) Andrews, Scott (Jan) Schickling, Kim (Mario Rojas) Kujawa, Leslie (Ted) Brelsford, Karen Huntington and Bruce (Debbie) Huntington. Also surviving are grandchildren: Adam (Megg), Daniel (Janelle) and Nicholas Wakefield, Kaitlynn Kujawa, Erin and Ryan Nicosia, Matthew and Charlie Andrews, and a great-granddaughter, Penelope Wakefield. He was also Grandpa Doug to Eric, Olivia, Bill, Kyle, Katrina and Justine.

Besides his parents, Doug is predeceased by a son, Michael Rue.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced in the late spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Doug’s name to: American Parkinson Disease Association, PO Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306; or to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave., Medina, NY 14103; or to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., Medina, NY 14103.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St. Medina, NY 14103. Please light a candle or share a memory of Doug at: www.bogantuttlefunerals.com