Patricia Ruzanski Johnson is a graduate of Coventry High School as a member of the Class of 1981.  Since her graduation she has made service to others the central motivation in her life.  One of her greatest accomplishments has been keeping the class of 1981 together by organizing class reunions and celebrations including a 50^th birthday party for the members of her class and coming together in times of need  This group has remained a close knit “family” that she is proud to lead. This however represents only one aspect of her amazing dedication to others.

Pat was a member of the Washington Oak PTA for 12 years and served as the Cultural Arts Committee chairperson. Pat initiated and organized numerous activities for the benefit of Washington Oak School and its students.  Pat joined forces with the principal, the late Richard Keenan, to establish the Tolerance Program which was an anti-bullying program and taught students about respect and kindness. She also co-founded the Halloween Carnival at Washington Oak and co-chaired the Outdoor Community Carnival, a major fundraiser for the school.  

In addition to her work at Washington Oak, Pat served as the volunteer coordinator for the Oprah Angel Network, which was building a Habitat for Humanity House in every state in the United States. The RI house was built in Olneyville for a needy family.

Pat gives very generously of her time to Emanuel Lutheran Church. She has served as a member of the church council and a Sunday school teacher. She has chaired numerous fundraisers to raise money for a number of projects including Camp Calumet camperships.  She co-chaired Wrap a Friend Coat Drive distributing thousands of coats to the homeless and needy in our community.

Some of Pat’s most outstanding and important work was on behalf of the American Cancer Society.  She served as the captain of LJ’s Gang, a Relay for Life team formed in memory of Lori Labrie Johnson of the Class of 1978.  This team raised almost $100,000 over a 6 year period.   As a result, Pat was asked to be the fundraising mentor for the Coventry Relay Teams while LJ’s Gang, which she lead, was honored as the one of the top fundraising teams in New England!

As if the accomplishments listed above were not enough, Pat has served as a volunteer for many other causes.  These include the Alzheimer’s Association, the ALS Association, the Children’s Wish Foundation, The National Autism Foundation, and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a group that helps soldiers deal with PTSD.

Pat continues to show others how one involved, caring, and dedicated citizen can make a tremendous difference in our world.  We salute her and recognize her numerous accomplishments by inducting Pat into The Coventry High School Alumni Hall of Fame.