In Loving Memory
1/15/1954 – 5/13/2024
Age 70
January 15, 1954 - May 13, 2024 The pandemic taught us many valuable lessons, among them was the concept of essential workers-the notion that certain roles in society are essential to maintain normalcy in daily life. The truth is that America's economy has always relied on essential workers. Many who are immigrants. And who are unseen, unknown and do the work that we do not even care to notice. One such person was Ufracio Ruacho. He dedicated his professional life to cleaning and resetting tables, and polishing glass and silverware in California's restaurant industry. His essential role is what the restaurant industry calls a busser.
Born in 1954, Ufracio was raised in the remote mountains of Durango, Mexico. As the oldest male in a family of 12 children, he took up farming and raising livestock with his father at age seven. While Ufracio never had any formal education or training, he used his knowledge of farming to tend to his small but proud urban garden.
Ufracio worked at several established restaurants in Los Angeles County, some that still exist today. While Ufracio began as a dishwasher in 1973-often working three jobs at once-he spent 34 years as a busser at the Santa Monica Loews Beach Hotel and Restaurant when he retired in November 2022. At work, Ufracio earned the respect of his colleagues with his work ethic and demeanor. His greatest strength was that he was humble beyond words, said colleagues. Ufracio received many awards and recognitions at Loews, most notably the Santa Monica Loews Legend Award in 2008 and 2019.
Beyond life as a busser, Ufracio was a model citizen who lived the American Dream. He immigrated to Los Angeles in 1973, supporting his parents and siblings back in Mexico. He became a homeowner in 1991 and proudly raised four children. His children attended California's community colleges and public and private universities to earn masters and doctorate degrees. To his children, he emphasized the value of hard work and the importance of the law, from simply wearing a seat belt or just saying "no" to drugs. Ufracio also took voting seriously. He became a citizen in 1996, following the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, when Congress last granted legal status to undocumented immigrants. He reminded his children to vote to make their voices heard.
Ufracio was also a devoted catholic. He attended St. Agatha. During his free time, Ufracio enjoyed walking to the Baldwin Hill Scenic Overlook Park and to the Rancho Cienega Recreation Center. He also enjoyed watching his young children play team sports and taking them to Dodger games. Ufracio died at age 70 from complications due to cancer, surrounded at home by loved ones. Ufracio is survived by his wife of 37 years, Alicia Ruacho, and his four children, Dr. Enrique Ruacho, Dr. Angel Ruacho, Mariela Ruacho, Joanna Ruacho, and 11 siblings.
Viewing will take place at:
Continental Funeral Home Los Angeles
5353 E Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, California 90022
Sunday, June 9th, 2024
From: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Funeral Services will be held in:
Panteon Cristo Rey de la Localidad La Purisima
Municipio de Tepehuanes, Durango, Mexico
To the family of Ufracio, I read your husband's/father's obituary in the Los Angeles Times and was so moved I wanted to let you know how much your beautiful tribute to Ufracio touched me, a stranger. I think that was the most ernest and sweetest obituary I have ever read. He must have been a wonderful man. I'm sure his absence will leave a vaccumn in your family but I hope your loving memories of him will sustain you. Myriam Cardenas