Johnny Ruffo’s family and his heartbroken friends looked shattered as they arrived at the Home and Away star’s memorial service held at Balcatta Senior High School in Perth on Saturday.
The actor and singer died peacefully aged 35 at a Sydney hospital earlier this month following a long and brave battle with brain cancer.
Over 500 people crammed into the venue to pay their respects, among them Ruffo’s grieving girlfriend Tahnee Sims.
In an emotional speech, as reported by the West n, Tahnee recalled how Ruffo kept his sense of humour until his final days, recalling his ‘big cheeky grin’ that ‘had brightened even the darkest of days’.
In moving scenes, Tahnee recalled learning that Johnny had cancer four years into their romance.
Johnny Ruffo’s grieving girlfriend Tahnee Sims has shared a heartbreaking eulogy for the late singer at his memorial in Perth. Both pictured
She says the news, ‘made it very clear why the universe had brought them together sooner. There wasn’t going to be a later’.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Tahnee recounted the deep love she felt for her soulmate.
‘I know that not everyone gets to experience that kind of love, which is why I will be forever grateful,’ she said.
‘John liked to say I was his guardian angel. But I think soulmates is more accurate. Everything I gave, he gave back tenfold. And more often than not he was my source of strength and courage’ she continued.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Tahnee recounted the deep love she felt for her soulmate. ‘I know that not everyone gets to experience that kind of love, which is why I will be forever grateful,’ she said
A booklet given out at the memorial featured pictures of Tahnee and Johnny under the heading A Forever Love and alongside song lyrics by Lady Gaga
‘For six and a half years I watched him go through a hideous cancer diagnosis, dealing with setback after setback and still act with courage and gratitude right to the very end.
‘I will miss every single thing about John. Mostly I will miss the way he always managed to make me laugh, no matter the occasion or how inappropriate the joke… until we meet again John, I love you.’
A booklet given out at the memorial featured pictures of Tahnee and Johnny under the heading A Forever Love and alongside song lyrics by Lady Gaga.
Ruffo’s Home and Away co-stars were also among the mourners, including long-time star of the soap Lynne McGranger, who delivered a moving eulogy, recounting the actor’s humility and sense of humour.
Ruffo’s family and friends looked shattered as they arrived at the Home and Away star’s memorial service held at Balcatta Senior High School in Perth on Saturday
Ruffo’s Home and Away co-stars were also among the mourners, including long-time star of the soap Lynne McGranger (left)
‘He had a softness to him that kept him grounded, humble. He was an empathetic and caring friend to so many as well as such an incredible fighter’ Lynne said in her eulogy
‘Those closest to him knew that he’d spent his entire life working towards that moment,’ she said.
‘He had a softness to him that kept him grounded, humble. He was an empathetic and caring friend to so many as well as such an incredible fighter.’
Lynne had earlier managed to share a smile with friends as she headed into the memorial dressed in black.
Ruffo’s brother Michael also shared an emotional speech, recalling how Johnny was always the same person from childhood.
‘John never changed from the day he was born until the day he said goodbye. That’s why he was so special,’ he said.
Over 500 people crammed into the venue to pay their respects
Emotional friends and family embraced outside the memorial
Mourners were seen entering the service on Saturday afternoon
Some raised a toast to the late performer outside the venue
‘You will be in our memories forever and the way you impacted on all our lives goes to show how selfless and caring you really were. I will love you forever.’
Seven journalist, Mark Gibson, who acted as MC at the service, recalled that Ruffo had that ‘rare indefinable charm that makes you a star.’
Ruffo’s mother Jill then presented a plaque to the school in her son’s honour, to be installed at the performing arts centre.
Friends and family were earlier seen entering the venue, some embracing, some in tears, and others carrying flowers to lay in tribute to the late actor and singer.
Earlier this week, Ruffo’s family released details about his public memorial service, which was held at his former high school.
A beaming photo of Johnny in a tuxedo was posted to Facebook on Monday, along with information about the memorial.
Earlier this week, Ruffo’s family released details about his public memorial service, which was held at his former high school
‘Memorial service: Balcatta Senior High School. November 25, Balcatta, Western , 6021. 12:30pm,’ they wrote.
‘Strictly no cameras or filming.’
The actor died on November 10 with his family and beloved partner Tahnee by his side and the tragic news was announced in a statement on his Instagram page.
‘It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,’ a statement read.
‘Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors.’
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines.
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines
In August 2022, he confirmed his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope once he is gone
In August that year, he was rushed to surgery and had a 7cm brain tumour surgically removed from his frontal lobe, before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Ruffo went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2020 the disease had returned.
In August 2022, he confirmed his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope once he is gone.
Ruffo marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy in December 2022, and revealed he was looking forward to having a break and spending time with family over Christmas.
Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Ruffo’s showbusiness career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor in 2011, and he later starred in Home and Away.
READ MORE: How Johnny Ruffo credited his partner Tahnee Sims for keeping him alive during brain cancer fight
