Ronald Robert Ruggiero Sr.

CHESHIRE - Ronald Robert Ruggiero Sr., 76, of Cheshire, CT, departed this life on September 8, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of the late Margaret (Caruso) and Pasquale Ruggiero, and devoted husband to Lucille Jean (Cretella) Ruggiero.

Ronald, also known as "Ronnie,” was born in New Haven and raised in Hamden, CT. He attended Hamden High School and also obtained an associate degree from the former South Central Community College in New Haven. 

Besides his loving wife Lucille, Ronnie is also survived by his sons Ronald Ruggiero, Jr. and his wife Michele, Michael Ruggiero and his girlfriend Jennifer Corti, Tommy Ruggiero, and his wife Barbie.  He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren; Madyson, RJ and Skyler. He will be greatly missed by his best friend Buddy, his beloved Golden Retriever.  In addition to his immediate family, Ronnie is survived by his siblings; Joseph Ruggiero, Sr., Kenneth Ruggiero and Deborah Mutts.  He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Ronnie honorably served in the United States Army in Vietnam during the “Tet Offensive”, which was a coordinated attack from the Communist Viet Cong against a number of targets in South Vietnam, where Ronnie was deployed.

In 1972, Ronnie married Lucille, the love of his life and they both kept true to their wedding vows. Their wedding song was “In the still of the Night” by the Five Satins; a song they enjoyed throughout their lives together.    

Ronnie worked at Southern Connecticut State University for well over 30 years.  He held various positions and ultimately retired in 2003 as a Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the campus.   He was very well known during his tenure at Southern.  One of his proudest moments was in 1986, when he and his crew erected a flagpole during a Veteran’s Ceremony near the Buley Library.  This flagpole still stands today near the “new” Buley Library.   Ronnie was also a Chief Union Steward for many years.  He continuously advocated for his fellow co-worders and contributed to making Southern a desirable place to work.  His legacy at Southern still lives on to this day. 

Ronnie’s true passion was to advocate.  He always advocated for his family, friends, and fellow veterans.  He proudly guided and assisted many veterans obtain benefits.  These veterans were not aware that they were entitled until Ronnie came along.   

Ronnie worked hard and after retirement he fully enjoyed life. He loved spending summers with Lucille at their beach cottage in Rhode Island.  He loved to go “clamming” (and eat them), he enjoyed a good card game, cigars, and treasured listening to Doo Wop music.  He had a passion for landscaping, he was an avid movie critic, and he always had some sort of classic car or sports car to go “cruising” around in with Lucille.  He had a ball-cap collection bigger than most would ever imagine.  Ronnie also had an extended vocabulary and converted many English words into some version of his own; usually sounding like an Italian American version of the original word. His children were always amused by this.     

Of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of his three boys in whom he instilled the importance of family, patriotism, and hard work. His distinctive laugh, kind words, genuine smile and diplomatic demeanor will be missed.

His family will receive visitors on Monday, September 18, 2023 from 3-7pm at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St. Wallingford. Interment with full Military Honors will be accorded on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 10am at the CT State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane Middletown, CT 06457. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org. To leave a message of remembrance for his family please visit: www.BaileyCares.com. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford, CT is honored to be entrusted with Ronald's care and final arrangements

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