Thomas
Thomas Ruggeri
Thomas passed away Saturday, September 12, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born June 7, 1954 the son of Vincent and Beverly (Haile) Ruggeri in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Tom was a graduate of Fraser High School and WMU where he was part of the Kalamazoo Underwater Recovery Team. On July 30, 1977 he married Helen Keeler at the Otsego United Methodist Church. Together they moved to the Detroit area where they lived for several years before returning back to Otsego. Tom had worked as an electrician for IBEW Local 131 in Kalamazoo for 26 years and had also taught Industrial Arts. He had served as a scoutmaster for Otsego Troop 98 for many years. Tom was a jack of all trades and enjoyed woodworking and traveling in his spare time.
Surviving are his wife, Helen; sons, Brian Ruggeri of Little Rock, AR and Matthew Ruggeri of Otsego; siblings, Kathryn (Paul) Wierbicki of Romeo, Cynthia (Phil) Gallo of FL, Joseph (Heidi) Ruggeri of WA and Gina (Robert) Vish of Commerce Township along with several nieces and nephews.
Honoring his wishes Tom’s body was donated to science and cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Tom’s family from 2-5 P.M. on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
A memorial service will be held Monday, November 30, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Otsego United Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to
Wings of Hope Hospice of Allegan
or to the charity of choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Thomas Ruggeri
Condolence Messages
Keelers
November 20, 2015 at 4:41 pm
WE are so sorry for the loss of a great guy, who would do anything for anybody. He was a blessing to everybody. Heaven got another angel.
Reply
Glenda Langshaw
November 20, 2015 at 6:36 pm
So sorry Helen, stay strong and know that God is with you and He cares.
Reply
Carol and the Falk Family
November 21, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Every member of our family has a special Tom story of their own. How grateful we are that he has been and always will be a part of our lives. It is so hard to fathom. We miss him very much!
Thinking of you Helen, Brian and Mathew especially, but also of the many, like us, who have lost a brother-in-law, a special friend, someone to share with, to laugh with, someone who could truly catch you by surprise at times, but who spread a clear message of tolerance and love. We are very sad that he is gone, but so glad that he truly lived the life he had been given.
Reply
Larry & Kathi Fuss
November 22, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Helen, Brian and Mathew! I always enjoyed our visits–lo those many years ago We will be unable to be at the memorial service, but with you in spirit! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Reply
Greg Smith
November 23, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Tom, It was an Honor to have met you.
Greg
Reply
Nancy Leitsinger
November 23, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Helen,
My thoughts are with you and your family! Tom was truly a special person! Very sorry for your loss!
Reply
Sally Thaxton Betzner
November 26, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Helen was so nice to meet you this summer at Otsego Farmer markets, enjoyed talking and getting to know you, am so sorry and prayers are with you and your family.
Reply
Richard Kennedy
November 27, 2015 at 8:47 am
I worked with Tom on a few IBEW projects and enjoyed his company I am so sorry for your loss .He will be missed .
Reply
Päivi Koivistoinen-Toivonen
November 27, 2015 at 3:50 pm
As one of Helen’s Finnish friends I met Tom for the first time when visiting the Keelers in 1975. He was delightful company to be with and we became friends right away. The ties of friendship between our families remained during the decades to come – even across the Atlantic. We will always remember Tom as an affectionate and lovable person who also had quite a sense of the humorous. We will miss him very much and cherish his memory in our hearts.
Päivi, Pekka, Mikael and Lassi-Pekka Toivonen
Espoo, Finland
Reply
Karen Obreiter
November 30, 2015 at 10:02 am
Helen, Matthew and Brian, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Reply
Pat Klocke
November 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Tom
Was a very good man.
May he rest in peace.
Reply
Marga Brisman
June 14, 2016 at 1:10 am
Missions you and thinking about your suggestions about making movies and intewieving our parents
Marga and Sten
Reply
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He was born June 7, 1954 the son of Vincent and Beverly (Haile) Ruggeri in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Tom was a graduate of Fraser High School and WMU where he was part of the Kalamazoo Underwater Recovery Team. On July 30, 1977 he married Helen Keeler at the Otsego United Methodist Church. Together they moved to the Detroit area where they lived for several years before returning back to Otsego. Tom had worked as an electrician for IBEW Local 131 in Kalamazoo for 26 years and had also taught Industrial Arts. He had served as a scoutmaster for Otsego Troop 98 for many years. Tom was a jack of all trades and enjoyed woodworking and traveling in his spare time.
Surviving are his wife, Helen; sons, Brian Ruggeri of Little Rock, AR and Matthew Ruggeri of Otsego; siblings, Kathryn (Paul) Wierbicki of Romeo, Cynthia (Phil) Gallo of FL, Joseph (Heidi) Ruggeri of WA and Gina (Robert) Vish of Commerce Township along with several nieces and nephews.
Honoring his wishes Tom’s body was donated to science and cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Tom’s family from 2-5 P.M. on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
A memorial service will be held Monday, November 30, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Otsego United Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to
Wings of Hope Hospice of Allegan
or to the charity of choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Thomas Ruggeri
Condolence Messages
Keelers
November 20, 2015 at 4:41 pm
WE are so sorry for the loss of a great guy, who would do anything for anybody. He was a blessing to everybody. Heaven got another angel.
Reply
Glenda Langshaw
November 20, 2015 at 6:36 pm
So sorry Helen, stay strong and know that God is with you and He cares.
Reply
Carol and the Falk Family
November 21, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Every member of our family has a special Tom story of their own. How grateful we are that he has been and always will be a part of our lives. It is so hard to fathom. We miss him very much!
Thinking of you Helen, Brian and Mathew especially, but also of the many, like us, who have lost a brother-in-law, a special friend, someone to share with, to laugh with, someone who could truly catch you by surprise at times, but who spread a clear message of tolerance and love. We are very sad that he is gone, but so glad that he truly lived the life he had been given.
Reply
Larry & Kathi Fuss
November 22, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Helen, Brian and Mathew! I always enjoyed our visits–lo those many years ago We will be unable to be at the memorial service, but with you in spirit! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Reply
Greg Smith
November 23, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Tom, It was an Honor to have met you.
Greg
Reply
Nancy Leitsinger
November 23, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Helen,
My thoughts are with you and your family! Tom was truly a special person! Very sorry for your loss!
Reply
Sally Thaxton Betzner
November 26, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Helen was so nice to meet you this summer at Otsego Farmer markets, enjoyed talking and getting to know you, am so sorry and prayers are with you and your family.
Reply
Richard Kennedy
November 27, 2015 at 8:47 am
I worked with Tom on a few IBEW projects and enjoyed his company I am so sorry for your loss .He will be missed .
Reply
Päivi Koivistoinen-Toivonen
November 27, 2015 at 3:50 pm
As one of Helen’s Finnish friends I met Tom for the first time when visiting the Keelers in 1975. He was delightful company to be with and we became friends right away. The ties of friendship between our families remained during the decades to come – even across the Atlantic. We will always remember Tom as an affectionate and lovable person who also had quite a sense of the humorous. We will miss him very much and cherish his memory in our hearts.
Päivi, Pekka, Mikael and Lassi-Pekka Toivonen
Espoo, Finland
Reply
Karen Obreiter
November 30, 2015 at 10:02 am
Helen, Matthew and Brian, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Reply
Pat Klocke
November 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Tom
Was a very good man.
May he rest in peace.
Reply
Marga Brisman
June 14, 2016 at 1:10 am
Missions you and thinking about your suggestions about making movies and intewieving our parents
Marga and Sten
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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