Joseph E. Ruggiero

Joseph E. Ruggiero, 87, of Wallingford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, July 4, 2025 at St. Raphael's Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Judith (Stopkoski) Ruggiero for 65 wonderful years. Born in New Haven on June 6, 1938, he was a son of the late Joseph S. and Mary (Velardi) Ruggiero. Joe graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1955, and later attended the University of New Haven for electrical engineering. He worked at TMC, AED, and retired from Varitronics. He married Judy in 1960, and together, they built their lifelong home on a lot with 13 apple trees in Wallingford, CT. In 1990, they built their dream home in New Bern, NC, where they spent the next 30 years creating lasting memories. Joe was a great husband, father, grandfather, and uncle whose love and loyalty touched the hearts of all who knew him. He was a kind, hardworking, and beloved neighbor and friend. He could build or fix anything and always had the part you needed! He loved golfing with his friends. Joe was a gardener of flowers, fruits, and vegetables; his roses were his pride and joy. He was known to pull over on the side of the road anywhere for seed pods. He was a member at the Branford Yacht Club since 1999 and enjoyed Wednesday lunches with his friends there. Sailing was his passion, he owned three boats in his time– Full House, Just B'cause, and his power boat Far Niente. Our fondest memories are of our early family sailing trips to the Virgin Islands and later our summer sails and beach trips to the Salt Pond in Block Island. Joe's all-time favorite thing to do was dinghy over in the Salt Pond where he would happily clam his afternoon away. When in Florida, visiting family and friends during the winter, he loved nothing more than sitting on the beach hunting for shark teeth. Joseph is survived by his children, Karen Lovington and her husband, Wayne of Guilford, Joseph Ruggiero and his wife, Sabrina of Sheffield, MA, Christopher Ruggiero of Wallingford, Thomas Ruggiero and his wife, Theresa "Terri" of Wallingford and Carol Dallas and her husband, Daniel of Wallingford; his grandchildren, Julianna Lovington, Aimee Lovington, Sydney Ruggiero, Olivia Ruggiero, Caitlyn (Andrew) Strongin, Christopher Ruggiero, Cameron Ruggiero, Adam Ruggiero, Zachary Ruggiero, Rachael Ruggiero, Benjamin Ruggiero and Alicia Dallas. His step-grandchildren; Christopher Dallas and Caitlyn Dallas; and his brother, Robert (Lois) Ruggiero; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Amelia "Abby" Caswell. His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext. on Thursday, July 10, from 5-8pm. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, July 11th at 10:00 am followed by interment in St. John Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.