Alfonso (Al) Francesco Ruggero
elevated 0CpvW October 15, 1955 ~ January 9, 2025
elevated 0CpvW Visitation
Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated 0CpvW Funeral Service
Monday, January 13, 2025 at 9:00 am.
Chapel of St. Joseph at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated 0CpvW Click here to watch the service
elevated 0CpvW
elevated 0CpvW Entombment
Holy Family Mausoleum at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated 0CpvW Obituary
elevated 0CpvW It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alfonso Francesco Ruggero at the age of 69 in Richmond Hill surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on October 15, 1955 in Toronto to Frank and Rosa Ruggero (nee Leggieri). Beloved husband of Sue Ruggero (nee Melbourne). Devoted and loving father of Geoff (Candice). Proud Nonno to Rachael and Sydney. Brother to Margaret (Vince) and Mary.
elevated 0CpvW A dedicated husband and father, Alfonso poured his heart into his family, offering unconditional love and unwavering support. He was the pillar of strength for his son, granddaughters and his family was the heart of his world. Alfonso will be sadly missed and held dear in the hearts of his many extended family and friends. He will be lovingly remembered and never forgotten.
elevated 0CpvW We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the compassionate and dedicated staff at Mackenzie Health Hospital for their exceptional care and support in looking after our beloved Alfonso. Your kindness, patience, and professionalism brought him comfort and peace, and we are truly grateful for the love and respect you showed him throughout his time at the hospital.
elevated 0CpvW In Memory of Alfonso, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
This is such moving reading. A wonderful friend to our family. We will always remember how he enhanced the lives of our families and the memories we shared together. We will never forget.
My father always said that you knew you had a true friend when you could go for months or even years without seeing each other and when you did meet up again, you picked up exactly where you left off. Distance, time, career and family changes didn’t matter. This describes my friendship with Al Ruggero. We shared many wonderful times with our families. I’ll always remember his laugh. Gone too soon.
Dear Ruggero Family,
I was very sad to learn of Al’s passing. He was a good friend from the St. Basil era, with a great sense of humour. I have very fond memories of him.
May he now RIP.
Sergio Marchi
Although we have not seen each other for years, you have always been and will always be in my heart. Memories of growing up together with our other friends and some of the adventures we had together,(east coast trip) will never leave me. You showed me what being a true friend really means. I will miss you deeply
31 & 63
My wife and I only met Al on a couple of occasions when we visited my cousin Sue in Canada in 2019. Even on that relatively brief acquaintance we were left with a strong impression of a gentleman, in the true sense of the word – a gentle and decent man. Our hearts go out to Sue, Geoff, Candice, Rachael, Sydney and all of Al’s family. May he rest in peace.
I have been away from Al for a long time. Our worlds were not really connected. However, this news hit me hard I remember him from my early experiences in politics and how he helped shape my perspective on so many issues. I always felt he was solid as a rock. A man of blunt integrity. May he be at peace.
Though there were often many miles between us, the memories of visiting Uncle Al will always be among my very warmest. He was an exceedingly kind, clever, and gentle man, with a wit that kept you on your toes.
My father always spoke of him as the best of companions, steadfast and strong. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to be my godfather.
Seeing the outpouring of love from those who cared for him on here and during the funeral service today was truly special. May he rest in everlasting peace with God, and I send my deepest condolences and prayers to his family.
Dear Ruggero Family
Although we did not see each other on a regular bases you were a friend and a true gentleman in ever since. You were cousins with my nephews the Leggieri and my sister Alice .You were always there when ever needed with your love kindness patience and friendship protectionism you will be truly missed
My deepest condolences
I shared this with Alfie’s family as, when I feel the fear of death, it always reminds me of Christ’s Truth and gives me confidence…
“It is said that before entering the sea a river trembles with fear.
he looks back at the path he has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of him,
he sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.” Kahlil Gibran
Our sincere condolences to the Ruggero Family for the loss Alfonso. My thoughts and prayers are with you for your loss and time of grievance. There are no words of comfort to help you cope with the pain for this sudden passing of loved one Alfonso.
May God give your family the strength during this difficult time.
Connie & Argentino Sanita. ( long time friends of the Ruggero family)
It was with extreme sadness when Joan and I learned of Alfonso’s passing. We had been ‘back yard neighbours’ on Marita place. Please accept our deepest condolences and may he enjoy his everlasting peace and rest in the arms of our Lord.
Dear Sue and Ruggero family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Al. I hope you take comfort in knowing that Al was a well respected gentleman and a good friend to many people. He will be greatly missed!
I had the privilege of meeting Al through mutual friends. Over time, we shared almost daily lunches and had many conversations about everything. It was during these times together that I came to know him as a truly wonderful person with an incredible sense of humour. The news of his passing deeply saddens me, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew and loved him. Rest in peace, my friend—you will be greatly missed.
When Margaret reminded me yesterday that her brother loved me, I’m afraid that I could not collect myself to respond but reflecting I realize that what made him so valuable was that Alfie truly believed in what was best about people. I knew that with Alfie in my corner, I didn’t need anyone else. And Alfie was always in my corner. I loved that son-of-a-gun from when I met him in 1979 at Akron, while we went to grad school in the UK and since although we were hundreds of miles apart. For myself and my daughter, Alfie’s Goddaughter, Allie, just knowing he was there quietly enriched our lives more than we can express. A heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Ruggero family he grew up in, Mary & Margaret, and to Alfie’s own lovely family, Sue, Geoff, Candice, Rachel and Sydney.
So sorry to hear of your loss Sue, we did not see Al many times but did meet and he was a nice man. It is hard that we are so far away, but we are all thinking of you at this sad time.
Sue, I am so sad to learn of Al’s passing.
My condolences to you and your family.
Al from the first time we met you at our restaurant we knew we’d made a friend because of your kindness and gentle demeanor. Over the years of seeing and serving you everyday and getting to know Sue was a pleasure and getting to see that smiling face and one of a kind laughter was infectious. We loved talking about Hockey and how the Leafs would always find a way muck it up in the playoffs..lol I considered myself extremely fortunate that I got spend 1 hour everyday for 15 years with you because you are just an all around awesome guy and I know if my Dad were still here, he would agree. I can only imagine you guys are somewhere together looking down at us and saying to love each other as much as possible because life is short. My condolences go out to the whole Ruggero family and Sue we send our love and sorry we missed Al’s send off.
Paolo & Chiara Calce