Leonardo Ruggiero Obituary (1939 - 2025)

Leonardo Ruggiero, of West Orange, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025 at the age of 86. Visiting will be held in Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, NJ on Monday, June 30th from 4-8 PM. There will be a Prayer Service in the funeral home on Tuesday, July 1st at 11 AM, immediately followed by the Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum, East Hanover, NJ. Mr. Ruggiero was born and raised in Alberona, Italy and has been a long time resident of Orange and West Orange, NJ. His life's craft was carpentry, where he was self-employed for many years before he became a Maintenance Supervisor for Columbia University in New York City before his retirement. He was well known and loved in the Orange and West Orange community as an avid soccer fan and a long time member and organizer with the Alberonese Social Club of Orange, NJ. He was also an active member of the East Hanover ELKS Lodge. Leonardo is the beloved husband of the late Rosina (nee Iatalese); loving father of Angela Petrucelli and her husband Joseph and Matteo Ruggiero and his girlfriend Marcy; cherished grandfather of Joseph Petrucelli and his wife Jennifer, Matthew Petrucelli and his spouse Nicholas, Jason Ruggiero and Jaclyn Ruggiero; great-grandfather of Dean and Grace Petrucelli; also survived by his daughter-in-law, Desiree, also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was pre-deceased by his loving parents, Matteo and Angiolina Ruggiero and his sister, Carmina Iuso and his nephew, Carmine Iuso. In lieu of flowers please make donations in his memory to the: American Heart Association at www.heart.org