Phillip S. Ruggiero

Phillip S. Ruggiero, 75, of Gracedale, Upper Nazareth Township, formerly of Bangor, died Nov. 7 in Easton Hospital. He was a self-employed attorney in Bangor from 1953 until retiring in 1993. He served as the Pennsylvania House of Representatives delegate from the 137th legislative district, 1968-80, and was the chairman of the subcommittee on boroughs of the house local government committee, and a member of the house judiciary committee. He was a former solicitor for Hanover Township and Roseto, a former assistant district attorney for Northampton County and mental health review officer for Monroe and Pike counties. He was a graduate of Temple University, Philadelphia, and its school of law. Born in Washington Township, he was a son of the late Stephen and Angelina (Natalizo) Ruggiero. He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Roseto. He was a member of the governor's committee to study reinstatement of the death penalty, a former chairman of the Area 7 and the Northampton County Democratic parties, and a founder of the Francis E. Walter Young Democrats. He was a member of the Pennsylvania and Northampton County bar associations. He was a life member of the Roseto Rod and Gun Club, a member of the Jacksonian Club, Bangor, and a former member of the Father DeNisco Council, Knights of Columbus, West Bangor, and the Bangor Elks Lodge. Survivors: Brother, Stephen of Bangor; sisters, Mary Confalone of Bangor, Rose Valle of Wintersville, Ohio, Josephine Barczynski and Angeline Arndt, both of Pen Argyl; nieces, nephews. Services: Mass, 10 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Call 2-4 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Monday and 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, James B. Gaffney Funeral Home, 314 S. First St., Bangor. Contributions: To the church.