Samson F "Sam" Ruggiero

Samson F. Ruggiero died peacefully in his home in Stirling, NJ, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with his family by his side. He was 65.

Sam was born on August 1, 1960, in Plainfield, NJ, to Juliet (Pelissier) Ruggiero and the late Frank Ruggiero, and was a lifelong resident of New Jersey.

He was a graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High School, Class of 1978, where he was co-captain of the football team. Sam enjoyed movies, music, wrestling, martial arts, and was known for being an excellent dancer. A jack of all trades, Sam could fix just about anything and was always willing to lend a helping hand to family and friends.

Sam attended Glassboro State College, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After attending college, he worked as a licensed stockbroker before starting the management track at McDonald's Corp, where he would eventually meet his wife, Renée. The couple went on to buy Happy Time Bar & Grill in Perth Amboy, which they ran together for nearly a decade. During that time, Sam earned his computer programming certificate and became a teacher at the Chubb Institute in Parsippany. After selling the business, Sam began working in the private sector, specializing in computer programming and software development.

Sam was a loving and devoted father to his daughter, Breanne. The two shared countless memories, bonding over movies and TV shows, shooting hoops at the local parks, doing scavenger hunts, playing PC games together, and taking trips down the shore with Renée. Sam was adored by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, and while his life was cut short, the impact he made on this world is everlasting.

Sam is survived by his beloved wife and partner of over 40 years, Renée (Miller) Ruggiero; his mother, Juliet Ruggiero; his daughter, Breanne Ruggiero, and her partner, Andrew Cardozo; his sister, Donna Ruggiero, and her son, Christopher Houghton; and his brother, Frank Ruggiero. He is predeceased by his father, Frank Ruggiero, and his nephew, Nicholas Houghton.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Valley Memorial Funeral Home, 1012 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ. Cremation was private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society https://www.nationalmssociety.org. For more information and to leave online condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfuneralhome.net.