Quincy B Ruffin was the older brother of American singer David Ruffin. He was born to William Payne and Ophelia Ruffin on July 22, 1929, in Collinsville, Mississippi, USA. His mother married Elias Ruffin, who raised him after his mother died ten months after giving birth to his younger brother David Ruffin.
Quincy had six siblings, Reada Mae Ruffin, David Ruffin, Rosa Ruffin, Gladys Payne, Rita Mae Ruffin, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin. He and his siblings were raised by his stepfather, Eli, and stepmother, Earline, a school teacher.
Personal Life
Quincy B Ruffin was married twice in his lifetime; he married Lois A Ruffin, with whom he had four children, Quincy R. Ruffin, Veanise Regina, Eric Ricardo, and Inga Ione Ruffin. Unfortunately, his wife died in 1967, and he married Sarah Dutch to help him raise his four children. He lived with Sarah for 35 years until his death in 2015.
Given how Quincy B Ruffin was raised, he sang in his church and as part of a band with his brother Jimmy, who later became a successful musician. Later in life, Quincy was an active member of Bibleway Church Worldwide.
Education
Quincy B Ruffin was highly educated; he had several degrees; he went to the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a degree in sociology. He then furthered his studies at Xavier University, earning a master’s degree in Criminology. Quincy also studied at National Theological Seminary, earning an Honorary doctorate.
Career
Quincy B Ruffin was all-round; he was an author, social worker, health worker, mason, and teacher and served in the U.S Army. As a soldier, Quincy served during the Korean Conflict in Germany, and while at it, he participated in boxing matches, winning over twenty of them. After serving in the U.S. Army for 22 years, he was discharged as a master sergeant.
He taught social studies at Princeton High. He worked as a medical officer in the military bases and his community. In other words, Quincy was multitalented, worked to help his community, and impacted so many people.
His Brother
Quincy’s brother started his music career in the late 1950s in Detroit, releasing his first song, Believe Me, and You and I, in 1958. David Ruffin joined the Temptations in 1964 and became their lead singer after the song My Girl did well. The group released songs, including Since I Lost My Baby, Aint Too Proud to Beg, My Baby, and All I Need.
Quincy’s brother was expelled from the group after missing showing up at several events, for instance, attending his girlfriend’s performance. At the same time, he was supposed to be performing with the group. David performed music independently and did a few collaborations until he died in 1991. He often abused drug substances, and he died from a cocaine overdose.
Death
Quincy B Ruffin died on October 10, 2015, in Cincinnati, Ohio, aged 86. He had been ill years before his death. Quincy’s body was laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Glendale, Ohio, United States.
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