Reynold Ruffins Of Sag Harbor Dies July 11, Dies at 90

Reynold Ruffins, a groundbreaking illustrator and artist, died peacefully at home in Sag Harbor on July 11, surrounded by family. He was 90.

Born in New York City on August 5, 1930 to John and Juanita Ruffins, Mr. Ruffins stood at an historical crossroads and blazed his own trail in commercial illustration before returning to his passion of painting in later age, according to his family.

His work is unmistakable. His illustrations covered many themes such as lively street scenes, fanciful travel locales, heartwarming hearth and home, vivid black and white food renderings, and whimsical animals and creatures. Though representational, his bold use of color, abstract form and stylistically uninhibited composition makes his work distinctive. His painting, while sometimes narrative, taking on themes from the circus to Adam and Eve to nature, is often far more abstract.

He graduated from New York’s prestigious Cooper Union, where he earned its highest honor, The Augustus St. Gaudens Award for outstanding professional achievement in arts, and The Cooper Union Presidential Citation for his work and prominence in his profession.

Mr. Ruffins was a founding member of the legendary Push Pin Studios, along with classmates Seymour Chwast, Milton Glaser, and Ed Sorel. He left to work as a freelance artist and art director and later co-founded design studio Ruffins/Taback, Inc. with Simms Taback.

Mr. Ruffins illustrated nearly 20 books beginning in 1969 and throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. He won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award in 1997 for Running the Road to ABC (written by Denize Lauture).

Professor Emeritus, Queens College CUNY, he left a legacy as instructor to hundreds of aspiring and practicing designers. Mr. Ruffins also taught at the School of Visual Arts, The Parsons-New School of Design and was visiting adjunct professor at Syracuse University.

As a father, Mr. Ruffins is remembered for his quick wit, appreciation of the play of light, adventurous spirit, and love for the outdoors, especially the sea. His lifelong love, Joan Ruffins, predeceased him on May 31, 2013. He is survived by his four children Todd Ruffins of Sag Harbor, Lynn (Curtis) Cave of Brooklyn, Ben (Deborah) Ruffins of Seattle, and Seth (Susan) Ruffins of Altadena, California; six grandchildren, Rebecca, Ranger, Seth, Alexandra, Theodore and Olivia; sister-in-law Joyce (Al) Holmes of Virginia; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.