SHREWSBURY – Mr. Michael Ruggiere, 73, of 36 North Quinsigamond Ave. passed away Thursday August 6th with his family by his side at the Holy Trinity Rehabilitation Center in Worcester. His wife of forty-three years Ernestine “Tina” (Albano) Ruggiere passed away on November 4, 2000
He is survived by his two sons, Dominic Ruggiere and his wife Stephanie of Shrewsbury, James Ruggiere and his wife Deborah of Worcester, three daughters, Madaline Danzilio-Guerra and her husband Leo of Shrewsbury, Theresa Michniewicz and her husband Ralph “Skip” of South Grafton, and Regina Mannella and her husband Francis of Shrewsbury; a brother, John Ruggiere and his wife Mary of Worcester, two sisters, Joan Courville and her husband James of Auburn, Rose Berkiel and her husband Frank of Worcester ; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Ruggiere of Brewster, Lily Ruggiere of Shrewsbury, Michael Ruggiere of Idaho, Dominica “Minnie” Danzilio of Shrewsbury, Dominic Sposato of South Grafton, Michael and Joseph Jamros of Shrewsbury; along with many nieces and nephews
Mr. Ruggiere was pre-deceased by his brother Edward White.
Mr. Ruggiere was born July 22, 1936 in Worcester, Massachusetts a son of the late Dominic and Gladys(White) Ruggiere.
Michael attended Commerce High School in Worcester and worked as a truck driver for C & S Wholesale Grocers for over thirty years. Mr. Ruggiere was an avid member of the Teamsters Local 170 and a member of the Shrewsbury Tower Tenants Association. He enjoyed his bowling league and was an enthusiastic Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and Patriots fan.
Mr. Ruggiere was one of the first heart transplant recipients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. His family would like to thank the dedicated and caring doctors and nurses of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, DaVita Dialysis, and the Holy Trinity Rehabilitation Center and Hospice staff.
Mr. Ruggiere was a also a founding member of Our Lady of Loreto Church.
His funeral will be held Monday August 10th from FAZIO FUNERAL HOME, 9 Branch St. Worcester, with a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Loreto Church Worcester, at 10 am. Interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury. Calling hours are on Sunday August 9th from 5 to 8pm. Funeral arrangements under the direction, Louis M. Fazio Jr. and Louis M. Fazio III, directors. For condolences or directions, please visit our website at faziofuneralhome.com