Obituary of Ruggerio "Mario" Ruta

Ruggerio "Mario" Ruta, 91, of Williamsburg, Virginia – passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023. Known to friends and family as Mario, Ruggerio was born in Capriglia, Italy to Pellegrino Ruta and Rosa (nee Saccone) Ruta. He came to the United States in October 1951 and settled in South Hackensack, New Jersey. Mario along with his devoted wife Marie (nee Cacciatore) was a long-time resident of South Hackensack and Little Ferry, New Jersey before moving with Marie to Williamsburg, Virginia in 2016. Mario spent his twilight years residing with his wife and his son Anthony and family. Mario and his brother Anthony proudly served as volunteers for the South Hackensack Fire Department, Company #2. Mario was employed as a heavy equipment diesel mechanic and welder in the construction and waste management industries until his retirement in 2002. During his retirement he found pleasure in repairing and restoring classic Mercedes-Benz automobiles, tinkering with various broken items, and tending to his vegetable garden. Throughout his life, Mario enjoyed family vacations, cheering on the NY Yankees, and attending his children's and grandchildren's activities, events, and milestones. Mario was generous with his talent to be able to repair machinery and equipment. He was always willing to help family, friends, and neighbors when something was not working. Mario was preceded in death by his siblings Anthony Ruta and Ada Sanseverino; Beloved husband of 54 years to Marie (nee Cacciatore) and devoted father of Kevin Ruta of South Plainfield, New Jersey and Anthony Ruta and his wife Michelle of Williamsburg, Virginia, and grandfather to their children Vincent, Nicholas Micaela, and their trusted canine Reagan. Mario was a beloved uncle, cousin, and friend to many in New Jersey, Virginia, and Canada. A memorial service will be held on Sunday January 14, 2024, at G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 with visitation from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Folds of Honor at https://foldsofhonor.org/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/.