Johnny Ruffo’s family and his heartbroken partner Tahnee Sims looked devastated as they arrived at the Home and Away star’s memorial service at Perth’s Balcatta Senior High School 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.
The mourners also included Ruffo’s Home and Away co-stars, including Lynne McGranger, the soap’s longtime star, who is expected to deliver the eulogy.
Friends and family were seen entering the venue, some hugging, some crying, others carrying flowers to pay tribute to the late actor and singer.
Earlier this week, Ruffo’s family released details of his public memorial service 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 pictured
Mourners were seen entering the service on Saturday afternoon
Some carried flowers as a tribute to the late actor and singer
Emotional friends and family hugged each other outside the venue
On Monday, a beaming photo of Johnny in a tuxedo was posted on Facebook along with information about the memorial.
“Commemoration: Balcatta Senior High School. November 25, Balcatta, Western Australia, 6021. 12:30 p.m.,” they wrote.
“No cameras or filming.”
The actor died on November 10 in the presence of his family and beloved partner Tahnee and the tragic news was announced in a statement on his Instagram page.
Earlier this week, Ruffo’s family released details of his public memorial service held at his former high school
“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” they said in a statement.
“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors.”
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after being hospitalized with painful migraines.
In August of that year, he underwent immediate surgery and a 7cm brain tumor was surgically removed from his frontal lobe before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after being hospitalized with painful migraines
Ruffo recovered months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but announced in November 2020 that the illness had returned.
In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain tumor diagnosis was terminal and said he was afraid of how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope if he was dead.
In December 2022, Ruffo marked another year of his chemotherapy treatment and revealed that he was looking forward to taking some time off over Christmas and spending time with family.
Ruffo was born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta. Ruffo’s showbiz career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011. He later starred in Home and Away.
In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain tumor diagnosis was terminal and said he was afraid of how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope if he was dead