Former middleweight boxer had a career in the maritime industry
Thomas Louis Ragucci, a lifelong resident of Staten Island, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at his home on Todt Hill.
Mr. Ragucci, who celebrated his 92nd birthday on October 6th of this year, was born in 1927 on Staten Island to Federico Ragucci and the former Teresa Toscano and grew up in West Brighton.
Mr. Ragucci graduated from Curtis High School and joined the United States Marine Corps after graduation. He attained the rank of sergeant, first serving in Japan at the end of World War II and then during a second tour of duty in Korea during the Korean War.
After his service, Mr. Ragucci boxed professionally as a middleweight and was ranked by The Ring Magazine in 1950. After his boxing career, Mr Ragucci had a long career in the maritime industry in New York and New Jersey, starting as a longshoreman and eventually becoming vice president at Global Terminal & Container Services, Inc., in Jersey City, N.J. At the age of 84 Mr. Ragucci retired from Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island.
Mr. Ragucci was married to the former Gloria DiDomenico until her death in 1986. He also survived his longtime companion, Maxine Gallo of Bridge Township, N.J.
He is survived by his daughter, Terry D'Amato of Staten Island (his son-in-law John D'Amato predeceased him); his son Fred Ragucci and his wife Maria Ragucci of Rye, N.Y.; and his daughter, Karen Baldari and her husband Gregory Baldari of Marlboro, N.J.
Mr. Ragucci had five grandchildren, Steven D'Amato, Nicholas Baldari, Mark D'Amato, Thomas Ragucci and Jennifer Baldari, all of whom will miss their grandfather. Mr. Ragucci is also survived by his brother, Carmine Ragucci and his wife Lydia Ragucci of Staten Island.
Mr. Ragucci, the son of Italian immigrants, enjoyed living on Staten Island and often reminisced about growing up on Staten Island at a time when it seemed he knew everyone and everyone knew him. He enjoyed watching sports, mostly boxing and Penn State football. However, he was first and foremost a family man, entirely devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren.
Services are being handled by Casey Funeral Home, with visitation Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Sylvester Church, with burial to follow at Moravian Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with his wife, Gloria.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a favorite charity.
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