Richard Ruyack

Before becoming part of the Saint Pio Foundation, Richard served in the City of Yonkers Police Department for 30 years. During his career he served in many different Commands and Divisions, earning the respect of his peers as well as the citizens he served. During that time, he earned numerous awards and citations including graduating from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico Va. While rising to the rank of Lt. he served in many different positions including the Commanding Officer of the Training Unit. During that time, he was influential in organizing and setting up the City of Yonkers Citizens Police Academy.

According to Richard this was always the highlight of his career because it enabled him to forge strong bonds between the citizens and the officers who served them. This was accomplished by giving the average person a firsthand account of what the modern Police officers faces each and every day.

After retiring in Sept. 2016, he could not sit idle for long and joined the Putnam County Consumer Affairs office. In this capacity he is still serving the community, albeit not in fighting crime, but helping residents against unscrupulous contractors.

As a Knight of Columbus (Holy Spirit Council), he answered the call from the Saint Pio Foundation to assist with transporting the holy relics of Saint Pio.

Since then, he has acted as one of the main “Guardians” bringing the relics of Saint Pio to churches and cathedrals throughout the United States, and currently also act as a supervisor of the veneration of the relics of Saint Pio. According to Richard, the most rewarding aspect of this is interacting with all the faithful who have shared stories with him of their personal connection and experiences of this most famous saint.    

Richard is married to his beautiful wife of 30 years Elizabeth and has been blessed with 3 children, Raymond, Christopher, and Rebecca. They reside in Putnam County with their 2 dogs Holly and Sammy.