WWII veteran, minor league baseball player, WHA commissioner
Published in the May 3, 2017 edition
WAKEFIELD — Eugene N. Ruggiero of Wakefield died on Monday, May 1, at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Angelo and Melinda (Pelosi) Ruggiero.
Mr. Ruggiero was raised in Everett. He served in the Army during World War II. He played minor league baseball for the Boston Braves.
Mr. Ruggiero was the former owner of Eugene’s Beauty Salon in Lynnfield.
He was a longtime maintenance supervisor for the Wakefield Housing Authority as well as the commissioner for 22 years. Mr. Ruggiero was instrumental in the building of the John J. McCarthy Senior Center. He was involved with the Wakefield Council of Clubs for many years.
He was an avid golfer and was a starter at Hillview Country Club in North Reading.
Mr. Ruggiero is survived by his five daughters: Linda Ruggiero of Marblehead and her fiancée Ralph Behringer of CA, Louise Barry of Wakefield, Jeanine Maglione and her husband Joseph of Charlestown, Virginia Ruggiero of North Quincy and Lisa Villereal of Lynn and her late husband Al. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren and his 5 great grandchildren, his dear friend Dorothy Tecce and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Ruggiero was predeceased by his two brothers; Frank Ruggiero and James Ruggiero and his sister Siena Pirrella.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Saturday at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass in St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield at 10 a.m.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield.
