Johnny Ruffo memorial service: Shattered family and heartbroken partner Tahnee Sims arrive to remember the Home and Away star at his old school in Perth after he tragically died from brain cancer
Johnny Ruffo’s family and his heartbroken partner Tahnee Sims looked shocked as they arrived at the Home and Away star’s memorial service at Balcatta Senior High School in Perth on Saturday.
The actor and singer died peacefully in a Sydney hospital earlier this month at the age of 35, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.
Ruffo’s Home and Away co-stars were also among the mourners, including longtime soap star Lynne McGranger, who is expected to deliver the eulogy.
Friends and family were seen entering the venue, some hugging, some in tears, and others carrying flowers in tribute to the late actor and singer.
Earlier this week, Ruffo’s family announced details about his public memorial service, which was held at his former high school.
Johnny Ruffo’s family and friends looked shocked as they arrived at the Home and Away star’s memorial service at Balcatta Senior High School in Perth on Saturday. Johnny is in the photo
Mourners were seen entering the service on Saturday afternoon
Some carried flowers to lay in tribute to the late actor and singer
Emotional friends and family hugged outside the venue
On Monday, a beaming photo of Johnny in a tuxedo was posted on Facebook, along with information about the memorial.
‘Memorial service: Balcatta Senior High School. November 25, Balcatta, Western Australia, 6021. 12:30,” they wrote.
‘Strictly no cameras or filming.’
The actor passed away 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.
Earlier this week, Ruffo’s family announced details about his public memorial service, which was held at his former high school
“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” the statement said.
“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed away peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors.”
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after going to hospital with painful migraines.
In August that year, he underwent emergency surgery and had a 7cm brain tumor surgically removed from his frontal lobe before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after going to hospital with painful migraines
Ruffo went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2020 that the disease had returned.
In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope with him being gone.
Ruffo marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy in December 2022 and revealed he was looking forward to taking a break and spending time with family over Christmas.
Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Ruffo’s show business career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011, and later starred in Home and Away.
In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope with him being gone.