James D. Ruggiero

James D. Ruggiero passed away peacefully on October 12, 2018 in his home surrounded by his loving family.  Jim was born September 21, 1920 in Tiffin, Ohio to Dan & Carmella (Ricci) Ruggiero and grew up in a large family with brothers Benny, John, Patsy, Frank, Ernie, Anthony, and sister Mary, all of whom predeceased him.

Jim attended school in Gibsonburg and, prior to serving as a rifle instructor in the Army during WW2, spent time working in a CCC camp in Central Ohio. Following his Army service, Jim came back to Gibsonburg to work on the construction of a new lime plant in Millersville for the J. E. Baker Company. He stayed on as an employee when the plant was finished. Jim became the lead maintenance man during his 40-year career with them.  He was known to be able to fix anything.  

Jim enjoyed gardening, cards, hunting, and was an accomplished golfer who was still competing on the golf course at age 97. He was a member of the Gibsonburg Sportsmen’s Club and the Gibsonburg American Legion Post as well as a volunteer coach for the Gibsonburg Junior Baseball Association. 

Jim was a proud volunteer fireman and earned a Life Membership in the Gibsonburg Volunteer Fire Department who honored him as the Grand Marshal of the 2018 Northwestern Ohio Firemen’s convention. Jim’s mechanical abilities were relied upon for many years to keep fire equipment running.

Jim was married for 57 years to Luba (Dimoff) who passed away in 1999. Their son Robert died in an automobile accident in 1964. They are survived by son Thomas (Diane) in Gibsonburg, daughters Marsha (Dan) Henery in Gibsonburg, and Kathryn (Don) Miley in Maumee, Ohio. Jim was the proud grandfather of Tim (Stephanie) Ruggiero, Bethany (Robert) Hull, Emily (Scott) Paulitsch, Maurice Henery II, Donald (Stephanie) and Robert Miley. Jim was also very proud of his great grandchildren Elise, Wade & Henry Paulitsch; Pierson, River & Summer Hull; Mackenzee Ruggiero, Donnovyn & Jeremy; and Donny Miley IV; and his faithful rescue dog, Louie.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Oct. 21, 1-3 & 5-7 p.m at the Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg, where services will be performed at 6 p.m. by the GVFD.  Funeral Services will be Monday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m., at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gibsonburg where visitation will begin at 10 a.m.  Rev. Blair Miller will officiate. Burial with Military Rites will be at West Union Cemetery, Gibsonburg.

Memorial donations may be made to the Gibsonburg Volunteer Fire Dept. or to the Gibsonburg Post of the American Legion.