[1] The son of a grocery store manager, Ruane attended St. Mary's Boys High School in Lynn, Massachusetts.

After his military service, Ruane returned to Salem, where he worked for the city as a clerk in the motor division and as a coach, basketball referee and baseball umpire for the Recreation Department.

As a result of redistricting, he faced, and defeated, 8th Essex District Representative Bruce McLaughlin in the Democratic primary.

After defeating Salem City Councilman Steve Lovely in the 1980 Democratic Primary, Ruane would not face another challenger for 22 years.

[2] Ruane died on June 25, 2006, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, Massachusetts.