Maurice Ruggiero

Beloved Father

& Grandfather

Maurice “Babe” Ruggiero, 80, of Oxford, died peacefully, April 2, at home, surrounded by his devoted and loving family. Born in Stamford on October 16, 1930, he was the son of Martin and Maria DiCecca Ruggiri.

Mr Ruggiero is survived by his wife of 53 years, June (Pavia) Ruggiero; four children and their spouses, Andrea and Tom Santella, and Joanne and Virgil Procaccini, all of Newtown, and Deanna and Robert Zikias, and Joseph Ruggiero. Two siblings and their spouses, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren also survive Mr Ruggiero. A sister and a brother predeceased him, as did his parents.

Mr Ruggiero enlisted in the United States Army in September of 1949, and served in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in October 1952.

He loved NASCAR racing, football, boating, golfing, and music. He will be greatly missed by family and friends for his intelligence, humor, and fun-loving nature, his ability to fix anything, his delicious chef creations, and for the loving care for his family.

His family wishes to especially thank Dr Michael Cohenuram, the nurses of the Oncology Department of Danbury Hospital, and employees of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut for their care and compassion in keeping Mr Ruggiero comfortable in his last days, as well as the loving support of an entire community of family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 9, at St Thomas The Apostle Church, 733 Oxford Road, Oxford, at 11 am. Interment will be private. Relatives and friends may call at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, on Friday April 8, from 4 to 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be considered to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, at www.RegionalHospiceCT.org, or Catholic Relief Services, www.crs.org.

The Newtown Bee        April 8, 2011