James A. Ruggiere

James Albert Ruggiere, 84, crossed over in the early hours of Monday, August 9, 2010 due to complications of pneumonia. Jim was born June 3, 1926 in Bellwood, PA. As a WWII veteran of the Army Air Corp., he served as a tail gunner on the B24 J Liberator. He married Lena DiCesare of Tyrone, PA in August of 1948 and they moved to Meadville that year, becoming lifelong members of St. Agatha's parish. He briefly worked for American Viscose where he played on their PA State Championship fast pitch softball team in the late forties. He then spent 20 years each with Swift and Co., and Lord Corporation of Saegertown. During the fifties and sixties he was a member of the Meadville Rescue Squad. Jim loved country music, and in recent years was happiest playing guitar and mandolin for assisted living communities in Meadville and Altoona. He is survived by his wife of sixty one years, brother Mike, sisters Marie and Catherine, daughter Debbie, sons Jimmy and Richard and his wife Rachel, and granddaughter Holly. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Roofner-Collins Funeral Home, 544 Chestnut St. Meadville, PA, with a prayer vigil at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be at 9:30 am Thursday at St. Agatha's Church with Father Mark O’Hern as celebrant. Burial will take place later that day at Logan Valley Cemetery near Bellwood. Jim will be dearly missed.