George Ruggiero Jr., 73, formerly of Bristol, R.I., passed away on Oct. 15, 2020, at home.  His wife of 52 years, Elaine (Cardoza) Ruggiero, was by his side.

George was the son of George Sr. and Angeline (Tarascio) Ruggiero.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Joanna Silvia, nephew Michael Silvia and niece Melissa Hueras and their families, all of Massachusetts. He also leaves his brother John’s daughters, Jennifer (Christopher) Hansen and Rebecca (BJ) Sullivan; great-nephew Alexander, John Sullivan; and sister-in-law, Patti Ruggiero, all of Florida.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother John of Florida and nephew Robert Silvia Jr. of Massachusetts.
George graduated from Colt Memorial High School and Bryant (College) University. He was employed by United Technologies in Winsor Locks, Conn., and General Photo Corp. in Williamstown, Mass.

He decided to leave the business world and return to Rhode Island to get his teachers certificate. He graduated from URI and taught three years at Rogers High School in Newport, R.I. He then joined the faculty at Community College of Rhode Island in 1975 and taught 30 years at the Providence, Warwick and Lincoln campuses. As a professor, he wrote study guides for McGraw Hill. He was appointed CCRI's first Technology Faculty Mentor.
George and Elaine were active in Marriage Encounter and were Marriage Preparation Coordinators for St. Patrick’s Church in Providence.

His funeral Mass was Nov. 6, 2020, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in SCC, Fla. Burial will be at a later date in Bristol, R.I.

Donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,  501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC  28607.