Robert Rugani

Robert Rugani, 84, of Longmeadow, Ma., went home to God on Saturday, June 14, 2014 after a long illness. Much of this he spent in the loving care and support of family, friends and devoted staff at Redstone Rehab and Nursing Facility of East Longmeadow, MA. Bob was born in Springfield, MA on May 7, 1930, the eldest son of Domenica and Bruno Rugani. He was a graduate of Technical High School and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Bob served his country as a Naval Officer on the U.S. Baltimore, during the Korean War. Later, drawn by his love for people and the caring fields, he pursued graduate study at Westfield State University in Social Work which became his lifes work. Serving families and children of Western MA, Bob worked for 30 years at Brightside for Families & Children and at Center School for Crisis Intervention and Assessment for another 18 years. He was a lifetime communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Springfield, where he served as a lector, Minister of Communion, altar server and member of the RCIA team. He was honored with the Pius X Award for his work in religious education. Bobs passions included his love for family, church, swimming and the Boston Red Sox. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Marie, of Longmeadow; his son, Robert Christopher and three grandchildren; Brianna, Toriana and Ryan, all of East Windsor, CT, as well as a brother, David Zucker of Phillipston, MA; three sisters, Barbara Burns of Westfield, Patricia Costella of Agawam and Linda Strapp of Enfield, CT, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. The funeral for Bob will be held Friday morning at 8:30 from Tazzini Funeral Home, 22 Locust St. in Springfield with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 9:30. Burial with full military honors will follow in MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 123 William St., Spfld., MA 01105.