Angelo P. Ruggiero

Angelo Ruggiero known to everyone as "Charlie" (then "Pop" when his grandkids came along) was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 3,1922 and was one of 9 brothers & sisters.  Like his father & his brothers he was a brick mason by trade.  He met his wife Ann at a dance on December 6, 1941 and they married on March 25,1944.  He and his younger brother Fred built 2 homes side by side in East Meadow, LI and moved their young families there in 1953.

He is survived by his daughter Adele (Persico), his son Vinny, their spouses Bob & Cindy and last but definitely not least his 3 grandchildren or as he referred to them his "Pals" Vinny Jr., Alexa & Jillian.  He never understood when people said they loved their grandkids more than their kids & didn't think that was possible until he had them.  He was pre-deceased by his wife Ann and their eldest daughter Barbara.

Friends & family came first followed by the Brooklyn Dodgers who broke his heart when they moved to LA.  He was a diehard NY Ranger fan until the end but would watch almost any sport on TV.  He loved to dance and all kinds of music but especially the Big Bands & swing music.  In later years he enjoyed going to Atlantic City and Las Vegas.  When he retired he joined a Jack Lalanne gym & worked out 3 days/week until he was 94.  He preferred a home cooked meal & seeing his family "around the table". Home made ravioli, Lobster Fra Diavolo, Baked Clams, Linguini & Clams were some of his favorite dishes plus ice cream any flavor but plain old vanilla was his 1st choice.

He was almost 99 when he passed and lived a simple but great life.  He was a quiet man but you knew he was in the room.  He had a great laugh and a smile for everyone but especially babies & young children (oh & maybe a pretty lady).  No matter how long you have someone in your life it's still hard to say good-bye.  He will be missed.