JOSEPH F. RUGGIERO

JOSEPH F. RUGGIERO, 76

WINTER HAVEN - Joseph F. Ruggiero, devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather, died on December 17, 2014, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 76.
Joe was born in Summit, New Jersey, in 1938. He grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York, graduated from Wallkill Senior High School in the class of 1956, and earned a B.S. in mathematics from Marist College. He spent the majority of his career with IBM, where he served in senior programming and management positions and enjoyed an overseas assignment with his family in Rome, Italy. Joe was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army and Air Force Reserves, and was for a time stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where he met his beloved wife of 50 years, Donna (née Manzello), of Leominster, Massachusetts.
A lifelong musician, Joe played numerous instruments and was the conductor and arranger for the Cronomer Valley Fire Department marching band, in Newburgh, New York; and the Florida marching band, in Florida, New York.
Ten years ago, Joe and Donna retired to Lake Wales, Florida, where they have been blessed with the love and support of many cherished friends. During his time in Florida, Joe was an adjunct professor at Polk Community College, and served on the Lake Wales Police Officers Pension Board. He also worked part-time at Disney, where he performed in the annual Candlelight Processional, facilitated the on-boarding of new EPCOT cast members, and brought joy to countless families as an attractions presenter.
Joe was a devoted and active member of the Catholic Church, especially in the parishes of Our Lady of Fatima in Plattekill, New York; and Saint Matthew's in Winter Haven, Florida. He was a Knights of Columbus District Deputy for Orange County, New York, and performed with the Schola Cantorum at Saint Matthew's Church.
Joe is survived by his wife, Donna, of Lake Wales, Florida; his sister, Renee Piperato (née Ruggiero), of Wallkill, New York; his sister, MaryAnn Fogg (née Domenicucci), of Wallkill, New York; his brother, Anthony Domenicucci, of Gardiner, New York; his daughter, Deborah Looney, and her husband, Timothy, of Lake Wales, Florida; his son, Michael, and his wife, Jennifer, of McLean, Virginia; his daughter, Karen, of Conifer, Colorado; and grandchildren Emily Looney, Sarah Moran, Steele Moran, Stella Ruggiero, and Olivia Ruggiero.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at St. Matthew's Church, 1991 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, Florida.