Anthony Ruggiero Jr.

Our beloved father, brother and friend, Anthony "Bibbins" "Babe" "Blue Eyes" Ruggiero, Jr., 78 of Bangor, PA, quietly returned to God on Christmas day. Anthony was born on August 5, 1937 in Roseto, PA and was the son of the late Antonio Ruggiero and Concetta Falcone Ruggiero. The "baby" of the family, he is survived by one sister, Concetta "Dolly" Muttillo and was preceded in death by his seven other siblings: Rose Romano, Augustine Ruggiero, Grace Coccia, Philip Ruggiero, Maryann Communale, Carmel Tomaro and William "Sonny" Ruggiero. Anthony is also survived and deeply mourned by his four devoted children and their families: Justine Davis and her husband Steven of Brick, NJ; Anthony Ruggiero III and his wife Becka of Bangor, PA, their daughter Caitlyn of Warren, OH and son Austin Anthony of Bangor, PA; Concetta O'Leary and her husband Tom of Bridgewater, NJ; and Anmarie Jezorski and her husband Mark and their sons Theron and Aeden Anthony of Enola, PA. He will be missed also by his numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as his friends, classmates and the nurses and staff at the Slate Belt Rehab and Nursing home where he was a resident, volunteer greeter and "mayor" for the last 14 years. Anthony was a member of the 1956 graduating class of Bangor Area High School and a varsity letterman for football. From 1954 - 2005, Anthony held the record for the longest reception for a touchdown in the Bangor-Pen Argyl game and rarely missed attending the annual rivalry game. His love of football did not end after high school and many will remember him as their Blue Valley Patriots Pee Wee coach in the 1970's - '80's. When he wasn't coaching on the field he was playing armchair quarterback and living room head coach for Sunday NFL games. Unfortunately, he was unable to see his beloved Cleveland Browns win a championship or Super Bowl in this lifetime, but hopefully he will in the next. In addition to football, Anthony also played and loved to watch basketball and golf and was a coach and player for the Columbia Fire Company adult men's softball team. He most enjoyed being the #1 fan of his children and grandchildren as they played sports and participated in activities ranging from football, to basketball, to archery, to cheerleading, to musicals, to band, to track, to baseball, to soccer and more. Anthony jointly owned and operated Edie-Bec Fashions/R&R Sportswear in Roseto, PA with his brother and business partner, Sonny Ruggiero where they employed many of their sisters, cousins and local seamstresses. He and Sonny had other business and life adventures together before his retirement in in the mid-1990's. Prior to owning his own businesses, he was employed by A&P grocery store in Bangor, PA, where he is remembered as the "handsome" guy at the checkout counter. Anthony was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Bangor, PA his entire life, serving on numerous committees and offering his service to the church and God whenever possible. He regularly volunteered his assistance for the annual church carnival and religious festival (The Roseto Big Time) and put his leadership skills to work as the festival Committee Chairman. He was proud to see two of his daughters crowned queen and the third crowned princess of the festival. He was also a founding member and third-degree knight of the Father DeNisco Knights of Columbus Council 3862 and a member and former chief of the Columbia Fire Company Number 1, Roseto, PA. While Anthony had many more accomplishments and participated in numerous other groups, those who knew him will remember him for his sparkling clear blue eyes, infectious smile, love of food and family (sometimes in that order), contagious laugh, gentle and generous nature and unrelenting sense of humor. Those wishing to remember and celebrate Anthony's life may do so from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 29 and 8:15 -9:15 a.m., Wednesday, December 30 at Guerro & Ruggiero Funeral Home, www.ruggierofuneralhome.com 126 E. Pennsylvania Ave, Pen Argyl, PA. A mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Bangor, PA. Anthony liked flowers, but if you wish to honor him with a more lasting tribute, please send a donation in his name to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church 560 N. 6th Street, Bangor, PA 18013.