Francesco Antonio Ruggiero was born on September 8,1947 in the small medieval town of Belmonte Calabro, Italy to Nunziato Ruggiero and Maria (Balsore) Ruggiero. He was the oldest of five children.
At age nine, after the untimely passing of his father, Frank and his two younger brothers temporarily lived at a nearby monastery, while his widowed mother tended to her two young daughters. It was there that Frank deepened his Catholic faith, served as an altar boy, and learned how to celebrate Mass in Latin.
As a 16- year-old in 1963, Frank, together with his mother and siblings, traveled by boat to America, settling in New York City’s “Little Italy”. He worked as a coat presser in Manhattan and later went on to study the craft of pattern making. He spent his entire professional career in the fashion industry, where he worked as head pattern maker for large manufacturing companies and top designers in New York City. Through his mastery of garment construction and precision in measurement, cutting and sewing, he brought designers’ two-dimensional sketches to life by creating countless samples of women’s wear garments that went on to be mass produced with his patterns serving as their blueprint.
In 1968, he married Rita (Munno) Ruggiero and soon thereafter had two daughters. While Frank was extremely proud of his Italian heritage, he was equally proud to become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1975. Frank and Rita moved their family to Long Island. They worked tirelessly producing and selling women’s dresses at weekend flea markets until they saved enough money to achieve the American dream of owning a home. They spent over 40 years together.
Frank was passionate about many things, starting with education. In the 1990s he earned his GED diploma and took classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology to keep up with the modernization of the fashion industry. He loved watching soccer, learning how to use the computer, studying other languages, and couldn’t resist “a beautiful dish of pasta.” Above all else, Frank loved music. He spent countless hours practicing his accordion and entertaining family, friends, and music lovers at Washington Square Park, Italian restaurants, family gatherings and community events. He memorized the music and lyrics to an impressive catalogue of classics and standards and loved performing for crowds, large and small.
In 2020, Frank moved to the Riverdale section of the Bronx where he became an active member of the St. Margaret of Cortona parish. He sang in the choir and looked forward to the monthly Latin Mass. He also enjoyed being a part of the community at the Riverdale Y’s Senior Center.
Frank passed away in his sleep on October 19, 2026. He was 79.
He is survived by his former wife, Rita Ruggiero; daughters Maria Fohsz (married to Justin) and Enza Sheehan (married to Paco); grandchildren Luciana Beatus (married to Liam), Olivia Fohsz, (engaged to Patrick Testino), and Max Sheehan; great grandson Nolan Beatus; siblings Anthony Ruggiero (married to Frances), Joseph Ruggiero, Maimina Ruggiero, and Nancy Ruggiero; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place on November 6th at St Margaret Cortona Church, 6000 Riverdale Avenue, at 10:00 AM. Committal to be private.