Security guard Mario Ruffolo touched many hearts in his life before he died Wednesday night following an incident at the VIA Rail building at Guelph Central Station.
Friends were shocked at the death of the 63-year-old Guelph man, who worked for GardaWorld security.
“He was just a really nice, quiet guy,” said Ruffolo's friend and longtime co-worker Nancy Guitard as she broke into tears.
“I can’t believe anybody would do that to him. I can’t even imagine a situation where Mario would be aggressive,” she said.
Ruffolo died Wednesday night following an altercation in the tunnel that runs between the station and Farquahar Street. A cause of death has not been released.
Jordan Langelier, 21, has been charged with second-degree murder. His next court appearance is Tuesday.
Guitard said she knew Ruffalo for 35 years through her father, who was good friends with him.
Ruffolo worked for the Woodbine Mohawk Park racetrack as a security guard for 25 years up until a few years ago. Guitard also worked there.
She described Ruffolo as a very quiet man who was very well liked.
“When he had to patrol the barns, he would always walk around and stop and talk to you, you know, ‘how’s it going, how are the horses?’ He loved the horses," said Guitard, adding that he always knew exactly what to do if a horse was injured.
She said Ruffolo took care of his 87-year-old father, Mario Sr., after his mother passed away from Alzheimer’s last year.
“His dad is not going to do well with this,” said Guitard.
Known as 'Bobe' to his friends, Ruffolo had two sisters and a brother, she said.
Guitard said when she heard the news about Ruffolo’s passing, she felt incredibly upset.
“When someone dies of natural causes that’s one thing, but to be murdered, it’s a whole other thing,” said Guitard.
GardaWorld did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There is no mention of the loss on their website.
Woodbine Mohawk Park released an official statement on Twitter in remembrance of Ruffolo.
“We are all saddened by this tragedy and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the statement read.
