Richard P. Ruggiero, 83, of Carbondale, PA, died Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Regional Hospital, Scranton, PA, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Mary Ruddy. They were married November 30, 1963.

Born June 26, 1942 in Scranton, he was the son of the late Dominick and Philomena Luparella Ruggiero. Rich was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale, and enlisted in the U.S. Army having been stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Prior to his retirement, he worked for 25 years in the sales and customer service department at Hendrick Manufacturing, Carbondale. He was a long-standing parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale, where he was a dedicated altar server for many years. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 221, Carbondale, the Victor Alfieri Club, Scranton, and a life member of the Carbondale Chapter of UNICO, where he served as the financial secretary for many years. During his fifty plus years of membership in UNICO, he was awarded the UNICO National Chapter Service Award. As an Honorary Hibernian of the Ancient Order of Hibernians [A.O.H.] Division #2, he was humbled to have been a past Man of the Year recipient.

While he thoroughly enjoyed all of his work experiences and the people whom he met, his greatest joys were his family, his grandsons, and his friends at the round table at Joey’s.

His family extends their deep appreciation for Richie’s team of doctors over the years, especially Dr. John Lundin, Dr. Matthew Haley and Dr. Frank Moro, and the doctors, nurses, and staff at Regional Hospital as well as Maria Davis and the staff at Home Health Care Professionals and Hospice [HHCP]; and a very special thank you to Msgr. Lawrence Tressler for his friendship and spiritual guidance over the years.

He is also survived by a son: Judge Frank J. Ruggiero and wife, Megan of Newton Lake, PA; two grandchildren: Ryan and Rhys Ruggiero; a daughter-in-law: Doreen Ruggiero and her son, Thomas Deacher of Carbondale, PA; nephews: Peter and Anthony Sirianni; and numerous cousins.

He was also preceded in death by a son: Richard D. Ruggiero; and a sister: Cecelia Sirianni and husband, Peter.

The funeral was held Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 89 Farview Street, Carbondale, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. from St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church Street, Carbondale, PA, concelebrated by Msgr. David L. Tressler, Rev. Joseph Mosley and Rev. James Price, C.P. Entombment with military honors, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA.

Pallbearers: Peter Sirianni, Anthony Sirianni, Michael Grizzanti, James Roache, Joseph Mazza, J.R. Mazza, Thomas Deacher and Joseph Carachilo.

An honor guard was provided by the Carbondale Chapter of UNICO.  

Viewing hours were held Tuesday, March 10, 20206, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were made in Richie’s name to American Legion Post 221, Carbondale, or the Simpson VFW Post 4712.