Ruth and Frank Morgano

MORGANO, Frank and Ruth

Together Again

Whether you called them Ruth & Frank, Oma & Opa, Grammy & Grampy, or simply Mom & Pop, you knew that they loved you. Those two had more love to go around than any of us ever truly realized.

Born in New York City September 2, 1939, Frank was adopted as an infant by the Memi family in Brooklyn and lived most of his young life there. After losing his adoptive parents in his teen years, he lived with his brother Edmund "Sonny" Memi and as soon as he could, he joined the United States Navy, having to talk his way in because he was only 17, and just a "skinny little Italian kid from Brooklyn" who was at the bottom cutoff weight for enlistment. Four years, double rations, extra protein and an Honorable Discharge later, he had gained one single pound. Frank settled in Manhattan and soon thereafter, met the love of his life, Ruth Brueckmann.

Ruth was born in Pirmasens (Rhineland-Palatinate), Germany on February 8, 1933, daughter of Friedrich and Elisabeth "Else" (Christmann) Brueckmann. Ruth had vivid recollections of being the eldest of four siblings in her early life during WWII in Speyer, Germany, at times living with neighbors when many families became homeless during the war. The absence of family photos from very young Ruth to young adult Ruth strike poignant. As a young woman keen to see the world, Ruth set off for New York City and eventually settled into an apartment one floor above Frank Morgano. She was on the phone with her brother in Germany when a knock came at her door; there stood Frank, inviting her to a small gathering at his apartment, which shy Ruth promptly declined. She got back on the phone and her brother scolded her, "You need to meet people! Get dressed and GO," and he hung up on her.

Their love story wasn't so quick to start though! Ruth arrived at the party dressed perfectly – a beautiful outfit she had sewn herself, including velvet slacks (Ruth was a very talented seamstress) which Frank had found much too progressive for his taste – something he was teased about all of their married life. Their next meeting proved to be The One (she was wearing a dress), and the love story of Frank and Ruth Morgano began. They married at the Little Church Around the Corner (Church of the Transfiguration) in Manhattan in 1966 – Ruth planned and sewed her own wedding dress! - and settled in Stuyvesant Town, where Mark was born. They also lived in Babylon, Baldwinsville and Connecticut, built a retirement home in Vermont, and eventually settled in Marana, Arizona where they were as loved by their community as all the communities before. Between Ruth's Christmas cookies, community "mom" and world-class German meals, and Frank's love of family and friends, they were loved everywhere.

At Mom's 90th birthday party it was obvious how much of a queen she was to Pop. When she passed away in her sleep less than 2 years ago, it was clear he was lost without her. He certainly tried to be strong on the outside and accepted the support of both family and the community they had both grown to love The Highlands. Pop kept himself busy with pickleball, golf, Mollie (his 4-legged love) and having friends over for "pasta dinner".

It didn't take long for his broken heart to begin having physical effects that couldn't be ignored. Pop made the difficult decision to leave Marana temporarily with Mollie and spend time in Connecticut to get himself "in check" and spend time with his family. If you knew Frank Morgano, you knew that family was everything to him. He spent his last summer playing golf and pickleball, bowling, camping (including jumping on a 60' slip and slide and lazy river tube rides), clothes shopping for the impending winter (which he was not looking forward to), and had lunches with old friends. He got to spend his last few months soaking in the world that he and Ruth created and couldn't have been more surrounded by love.

Ruth Bueckmann Morgano passed peacefully in her sleep during the night of January 13, 2024. She chose to be cremated and her remains sprinkled in the mountains of Southern Arizona. They always reminded her of the mountains in Germany.

Frank John Morgano passed away peacefully at Middlesex Hospital surrounded by family and his dog Mollie on the afternoon of October 8, 2025. A private burial with military honors will take place on December 12, 2025.

A celebration of their lives together will be held at the Highlands clubhouse on December 11, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm for their Arizona friends.

Frank and Ruth were predeceased by both of their parents, Ruth's siblings Erich (Patricia), Fritz (Ria), and Ingrid, and Frank's siblings including Sonny (Eileen) Memi. They leave their beloved sisters-in-law Ria Brueckmann (Germany) and Patricia Brueckmann (NY) and many beloved nieces and nephews both in Germany and in the US.

They are also survived by their devoted and loving son Mark (Delores) of East Hampton, CT, their grandchildren J.R. (Alicia) of Windsor, CT, Brian (Akila) of Memphis, TN, Chadwick (Courteney) of Hartford, CT, Kimberly (Derek) of Avon, CT and the absolute delights of their lives, great-grandchildren Chosen and Caelum, who still ask about Oma and Opa. The extended Lang family (formerly of Baldwinsville, NY) and the Selzers (Avon, CT) are among special friends who were always considered family and among others too numerous to include here. Frank and Ruth are also survived by their honorary grandchildren Colbe, Fabian, Maximillian, Vera, and all of the ice hockey billets who passed through their son's home. Mollie was adopted by Mark & Delores and she will continue to be spoiled rotten.

Their family will host a celebration of their lives at their home in Connecticut on December 20, 2025 at 2:00pm. Neither Mom nor Pop wanted any sort of formal services and did not want to be "fussed over". They lived quietly, and they left quietly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, or a Veterans Organization that is dear to you. Special Thanks to Smilow Cancer Center at Yale for giving us a little extra time with Pop.