Anthony "Doc" Ruggeri

Anthony “Doc” Ruggeri passed on November 9, 2022 into the hands of our Lord God and into the arms of all who were waiting for him. He was born in Lockport, NY on April 17, 1937 to parents Salvatore and Bertha (Maiorana) Ruggeri. He is predeceased by his two sisters, Rose Ruggeri and Camille (William) Scirto. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Carol (Previte) Ruggeri, children Maria Muraca and Frank (Mary Lou) Muraca, and grandchildren Abigail Muraca and Anthony Muraca.

Doc graduated from Lockport High School and then served in the US Army stationed in Germany from 1956-1958. He received a degree from Erie County Technical Institute and worked for various industries in the Lockport, NY area. In 1972, Doc opened “Mother’s Drinking Parlor and Eating Establishment” in downtown Lockport. It was designed and decorated with his vision of a 1920’s speakeasy. In 1982 he relocated to South Florida and purchased a restaurant, “Pier Deli”, on the beach in Deerfield Beach. He finished his career as a private chauffer for the CEO of a national company, Broward Factory Service. He was fortunate enough to have 20 years of retirement living in Boca Raton, FL.

As a young man he took operatic voice lessons and sang in the choir, often as a soloist, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for many years. During that era, he sang the masses for many weddings. In the late 70’s he achieved a private pilot's license and flew a single engine Piper aircraft. His greatest joy in his final 10 years was the ownership of a 1939 Mercury classic car. He restored it to pristine conditions and received over 150 trophies at various car shows throughout South Florida.

Those who knew him will remember him as a man with an outgoing personality, sharp wit and many colorful stories. Nothing meant more to him than his family, he was so proud. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him, both family and friends.

Because of his love of children and having dealt with cancer for over 20 years, memorial remembrances may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org/ or by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BabioneBocaRaton.com for the Ruggeri family.