DONALD “DON” F. RUGGIERO

Age 71, of Put in Bay, formerly of Damascus, died May 20, 2019 at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky. Born August 23, 1947 in Youngstown, he lived in the area until his passion for sailing took him up South Bass Island. He was an avid sailor, spending hours on “Caddy Shack” while he enjoyed his music. Don was a lineman for GM Lordstown for 30 years, when he retired and moved to Put in Bay, where he became the grounds keeper of The Island Club. He then took the position of Butcher for the Island General Store, where he was still working. Don was a real Chocolate lover. He had been a competitive swimmer and had been on the swim team at Muskingum College and with the Y Neptune Swim Team at the Youngstown YMCA.

Survivors include his High School sweet heart and loving wife of 50 years, Judy (nee: Woodford) Ruggiero, whom he married August 30, 1968, his brother James Ruggiero of Dallas, TX, his cousin Patricia Beale of Cortland, his sisters-in-laws, Linda (Bill) McKernan of McDonald, Deborah Radek of Burr Ridge, IL and Lori (Jeff) Cramer of Gerard. Don also leaves several nieces and nephews and his furry companions, Colin, Abbey and Lily. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws and his brother-in-law, Dennis Radek.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 29, 2019, in the Undercroft of St. Paul Episcopal Church, 623 Catawba Ave., Put in Bay. A Memorial service will be held at the Church at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary. The family suggests donations be made to St. Paul Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 248, 43456 or The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, P.O. Box 25, 43456.