John S. Ruggio

RUGGIO John S. Ruggio, age 76 of Stratford, beloved husband of Carol A. Carrafiello, passed away peacefully in his home on April 1, 2011. He was surrounded by his loving family and had fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bridgeport, on December 2, 1934, he was the son of the late Albert and Catherine Ruggio. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Albany during the Korean War. He was a retired metallurgist and sales manager with the Bridgeport Brass Co., vice president of sales of the Seymour Specialty Wire Co., and most recently sales consultant for the Wheeler Corporation. John was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church and an usher there for over forty-five years. He was also a long time member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants and the Yankees and always looked forward to "game day" with his boys. It brought him great pride and joy to attend all of his grandchildrens' sporting events and was their biggest fan. He and his family loved to travel and spent many summer vacations in Cape Cod together. Sunday dinners and holidays celebrated together were always a cherished family tradition. John devoted his life to his loved ones and was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Along with his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Albert Ruggio. In addition to his loving wife Carol, survivors include his three daughters and their husbands, Theresa and Peter Bockiaro of Trumbull, Karen and Chris Grosso of Newtown, and Pamela and Chris Nichols of Prospect; his eight beloved grandchildren, Richard, Nicholas, Brittany, Christopher, Daniel, Tyler, Anna and Molly; and his brother, Robert Ruggio. He also leaves behind his dear mother-in-law; sisters and brothers-in-law; several nieces and nephews; and many old and cherished friends, who will all miss him dearly. John had the honor of riding on a relay guide boat for Swim Across the Sound two years in a row, so in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent's Swim Across the Sound would be greatly appreciated. Funeral services will take place on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church, Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery of Easton. Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may the Swim Across the Sound c/o St. Vincent's Medical Foundation, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport CT 06606. To light a virtual candle, visit us at www.abriola.com.