William C. “Bill” Ruggieri, 86, died Saturday, April 2, 2022. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late James and Lillian (Downing) Ruggieri.
A lifelong resident of Warwick, Bill attended La Salle Academy and excelled in football there, then graduated in the Class of 1953 from Aldrich High School. In his younger days, Bill was a member of the RI National Guard serving as an aircraft electrician. He was skilled at water skiing, played trumpet for a time and was even in a glee club back in high school when he was younger and was a member of the Kent Water Ski club in the 50s.
Bill was an Electrician and a Contractor for most of his life. He started building gas stations in the 60s with Greenblatt Co. eventually landing a maintenance position with the American Oil Company (Amoco Corporation). When the company closed their maintenance division, they sought out Bill’s expertise and gave him a truck. He formed Ruggieri Electric Company (aka Relco) and continued to subcontract for Amoco and then also Shell Oil Co.
Sometime in the early 70s he began a side venture with his brother Patrick building small wooden storage barns, and thus RELCO Barns was formed. His brother Tom, the chef, also came on board to build for a time. Many workers came and went through the years, but all happy to have had their experience with Bill. He had a great work ethic and loved the challenges that so many customers would present him with through the years. Bill was also very generous with his time beyond the everyday and enjoyed teaching young people with special needs the construction trade for a time.
Up until June of 2020, at age 85 Bill was still fully active working and operating RELCO Barns in Warwick, with his son, Bill Jr.
His travel adventures include being a tour guide for the New York World's Fair, exploring the paradise of Maui, water skiing in Acapulco, bathing in Iceland's Blue Lagoon, and attending world-class professional tennis matches at the U.S. Open and Broadway shows.
He is survived by his two sons, William Ruggieri Jr. and wife Kim, and John Ruggieri, an accomplished photographer and painter. He was the loving grandfather of Kerri Lynn Houghton. He leaves his dear friend Rose Simoneau.
He was the brother of John “Jack” Ruggieri, Thomas Ruggieri, the late Lucille Marcello, Lillian Cota, James “Buddy” Ruggieri, Dorothea Cary, Ralph Ruggieri, Martha Penler and Patrick Ruggieri.
His Funeral will be held Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 9am from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. With a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Timothy Church, Warwick Avenue. Burial will follow in Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwick. Visiting hours Wednesday, 5-8pm.
Information and condolences, visit www.theQuinnFuneralHome.com
