NAUGATUCK — Ceasar J. Ruggeri, 87, husband of the late Geraldine (Somma) Ruggeri, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 in the VITAS Innovative Hospice Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by his family.
Ceasar was born on Aug. 24, 1928 in Naugatuck, a son of the late Ceasar and Zaira (Massolini) Ruggeri and had been a lifelong resident. Born the youngest of four children in the family home, his mother got up after giving birth to Ceasar and made dinner for her family. Ceasar owned and operated his own retail business in Naugatuck for many years and he was also a retired employee of the Borough of Naugatuck. He was a founding member of The Naugatuck Arts Council and was a proud U.S. Army Korean War Veteran. Ceasar was a faithful parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church, where he served as an usher and he volunteered for over 17 years at Waterbury Hospital.
Ceasar is survived by his daughters, Cindi Ruggeri and Debbie Ruggeri; his sons, Paul Ruggeri and his wife Cindy and Rob Ruggeri and his wife Lisa; his grandchildren, Matt Ruggeri, Anneliese Ruggeri, Emily Ruggeri, Jordan Ruggeri and Josh Ruggeri. In addition to his wife and his parents, Ceasar was predeceased by his brothers, Fred Ruggeri and Peter Ruggeri; and his sister, Josephine Vitiello.
The family would like to thank Ceasar’s caregiver Denis for the wonderful care that he provided.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Calling hours are Saturday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck. Members of the Naugatuck Veterans Council will assemble at the funeral home Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
