Obituary of George C. Ruggeri

George C. Ruggeri, 90, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2010. He was born in Buena Vista Township to the late Armando and Mary (Fernetti) Ruggeri. He was a lifelong resident of Buean Vista Township and attended schools in Buena Vista Township and Vineland High School.. George was a retired, sef-employed third generation farmer with his son and grandson, G. Ruggeri & Son Farms. He was a World War II veteran, having entered the US Army in 1942, obtained the rank of Sargent with the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion as tank commander. He served in the North Africa Campaign. In 1943 he was in the invasion of Italy at Naples, then shipped to England to prepare forthe invasion of Europe; landed in Normany, Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. He was in the Liberation of France, Belgium, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge and into Germany. On March 8, 1945 he crossed the Rhine at Remagen Bridge, through Germany to liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camps. He was wounded April 25, 1945 and returned to the US August 1945, He received the Purpole Heart, African European Middle Eastern Medal, European Victory Medal, French Normandy Medal, New Jesey Distinguished Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation. George was a member of the Landisville Produce Co-op, Vineland Produce Co-op, VFW Post 158, and East Vineland Volunteer Fire Company where he served as commissioner and captain. He was also a member of the Atlantic Co. Firemen's Association, Buena Vista Township Firemen's Relief, and Five Pints Horn Hunters Gunning Club. He was a parishioner of Padre Pio Parish, St. Mary's Church, East Vineland, NJ