…Retired from IRS, Andover, and Veteran of WWII; 91
TEWKSBURY- Michael B. Ruggiero, age 91, a retired supervisor for the IRS and a man many would consider a WWII War Hero, died October 21st 2014 at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA. He was the beloved husband of the deceased Phyllis E.J. (Webb) Ruggiero, with whom he was married for 65 years.
He was born and raised in Lawrence, MA, a son to the late Benedetto and Clara (DiBurro) Ruggiero. He graduated from Lawrence High School before enlisting into the U.S. Army. He served from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He was a participant in the Battle of the Bulge, and was among the first handful of G.I.s to cross the Rhine River as they forced the German Army into retreat. This historic, fierce, and bloody battle became the basis of many books and inspired the Hollywood movie, A Bridge Too Far. He was awarded many decorations and unit commendations, including a Purple Heart. However, the most memorable moments of his military experiences were when he met his future wife in England during the preparations for the D-Day Battle. He married her in England in 1945 and returned to the United States with her in 1946. They moved to Andover where they raised their family, and eventually retired to the Eagles Landing Community in Tewksbury in 1999. He was a communicant of St. Augustine’s as a resident of Andover, and most recently, St. William’s Parish in Tewksbury.
He was a retired supervisor and tax examiner for the Andover Service Center of the IRS. He is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline Berube of Kennebunkport, ME, and Janet Burgess of Portland, ME; a son, Michael C. Ruggiero and his wife, Deborah, of Westford, MA; five grandchildren, Jayne Berube, Maurice Burgess, Rachel Garland, Kaitlyn Ruggiero, and Emily Ruggiero; four great grandchildren, Kyle Berube, Luke Berube, Charles Burgess, and Maeve Garland; a sister, Ida Capriole of California; a sister-in-law, Rosalie Ruggiero of Andover, MA; and several nieces and nephews. He was also brother of the late John Ruggiero and Alfred Ruggiero.
Relatives and friends will be received Friday evening October 31st from 5:00 until 8:00 in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of Dewey and Main Streets (Rte. 38) Tewksbury Center, phone (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Saturday November 1st at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. William’s Parish Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial with Army honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Boys Town, donor Services, P.O. Box 6000, Boys Town, NE 68010, phone 1 800 217 3700, or www.boystown.org, will be appreciated. visit: tewksburyfuneralhome.com