Ruggles was of Irish descent. On the marriage certificate for his daughter Mary, he is called Douglas (this was just 7 months after he died). He was an inspector for the City Health Department in Vancouver. He had been living in Vancouver since around 1909.

On his death certificate, he is called “Ruggles Kemp”. He was riding Street car No. 270 (BC Electric Railway), and when they were near the corner of Broadway and Heather Street, he dropped dead. It was found out later that he had an inflamed heart.