Long-time Taunton educator left indelible mark on students and community

TAUNTON — William John Ruggiero touched the lives of many throughout his years of service as an educator, coach, principal, restaurant manager and volunteer. His legacy will live in the hearts and minds of all that he touched.

Ruggiero, of Taunton, passed away on Sept. 7 from an undisclosed illness, surrounded by his entire family. He was 75.

As noted in his obituary, “Whether it was football, basketball, or baseball, his dedication and passion for coaching shone through. His legacy as a coach will be remembered not just for the wins and championships but for the respect and values he instilled in those he coached.”

Connected with students and their families

Ruggiero connected with students and their families, which led to some lifelong bonds.

When Bob Farretta couldn’t reach Ruggiero at his Taunton home last month, he drove all the way to his summer home in Onset to deliver a copy of his son’s doctorate in physical therapy.

“He took an interest in my son. I don’t think I met a man as genuine as him. He was a different kind of person,” said Farretta.

Ruggiero taught his son, Robert Michael Farretta, at Taunton Catholic Middle School in the mid-2000’s.  All these years later, his impact on his life isn’t forgotten.

“He helped set the foundation for me. He cared about my well being and seeing success in the future,” said Robert Michael, who admitted to being a slacker and “class clown” before encountering Ruggiero.

Robert Michael said his family and Ruggiero continued to “keep tabs on each other” over the years. He said the last time he spoke to him was just a few weeks ago about earning his doctorate in physical therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions, passing the state licensing exam, and having a job in his field. “You could hear it in his voice he was so proud.”

Loving husband and father

William John Ruggiero was born in Newton, Mass., on Jan. 6, 1948. Family and faith were the two most important things in his life.

“His life was a testament to love, acceptance, and the enduring bond of family,” said his son, Ryan Ruggiero.

Ruggiero met his wife, Brenda Joyce Riva, when they were both teenagers. They were married for 49 years.

“Their journey together was a testament to commitment and devotion,” said Ryan.

His Catholic faith was also unwavering, said Ryan.

“His devotion to spirituality was evident in the way he lived his life, embracing all with open arms,” he said when he announced his father’s passing via social media.

Ryan said his father was a huge source of inspiration and encouragement for him when he pursued a career in journalism, working to this day on managerial levels with both NBC Universal and CNBC.

He also exhibited “unconditional love” when Ryan came out to him as gay. “He told me that he loved me no matter what,” adding his father proudly attended the first Pride Flag raising in Onset this year, as well as displayed LGBTQ+ flags at both his homes.

Dedication and service

After graduating from Watertown High School in 1965, he enrolled at UMass Boston, where he graduated cum laude in 1969 with degrees in both history and education. He later got his Master’s in Education from Boston State College.

His obituary states Ruggiero followed “in the footsteps of his father” by serving six years in the Air Force National Guard, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Ruggiero started his teaching career in the Boston Public Schools system, where he worked for 12 years teaching American History at Oliver Wendell Holmes School in Dorchester. He also coached basketball.

Ruggiero told the Gazette in 2014 that budget cuts led to him leaving his teaching job in Dorchester. He then went to work for his in-laws as restaurant manager for the family-owned Gondola restaurant, which was then a popular Italian staple in Taunton for 55 years.

“So many people are going to miss him. I don’t know anyone who didn't come away after meeting Bill, not just liking, but loving him. He was that kind of person,” said state Sen. Marc Pacheco, who was friendly with Ruggiero and his family going back decades to when he managed the Gondola.

Ruggiero loved coaching. Prior to working at the Gondola, he was the softball coach for the Gondola Restaurant when competing in Taunton’s Open Softball League, and won the Massachusetts State Championship in 1973.

Ruggiero continued to coach various sports and leagues in his spare time when working at Gondola.

He also served as principal for St. Mary’s Primary School from 1990 to 1992. His son said he left the position after two years because the diocese at the time didn’t want him working at the restaurant. “Family comes first,” Ryan said about his father, which is why he left the principal position.

His true passions

After 20 years as the restaurant manager for Gondola, Ruggiero went back to teaching in 2003 for Taunton Catholic Middle School.

From 2003 until his retirement in 2016, he taught social studies and religion at Taunton Catholic Middle, formerly on Summer Street, and eventually at Coyle and Cassidy High School when the two schools merged into one building in 2014.

“Bill was one of those guys who left an indelible mark on someone, especially his students. His passion was second to none,” said Dr. Mary Pat Tranter, who worked with Ruggiero when she was president of Coyle and Cassidy High School.

Ruggiero coached basketball at Taunton Catholic Middle School and led numerous teams to championships.

He also volunteered at the food pantry at Coyle and Cassidy and the pantry at St. Vincent De Paul.

“He went beyond a teacher’s responsibilities. He was one of the best teachers and role models in Catholic Education,” said Mike Cote, former teacher and director of community services at Coyle and Cassidy High School who volunteered side-by-side with Ruggiero at the food pantry. “He taught kids to love God and their neighbors.  That faith is what you live by, not just study.”

Filing a bill to teach his students about civics

In an effort to teach his students about civics and how government operates, Ruggiero and his students brought forth a bill proposal to the State House to have the quahog named the official shellfish of Massachusetts.

Ruggiero told the Gazette in 2009 the class learned the quahog was important for social, economic and political reasons. “It has contributed more to the growth of early Massachusetts than any other shellfish,” he said in 2009.

Ruggiero brought two classes to speak at the State House to lobby for the bill, first in 2004, and again in 2009, with the support of Sen. Pacheco.

“We brought them up to the statehouse to testify before the legislature,” said Pacheco, who supported the bill, even coming to Ruggiero’s class to speak about civics.

Though the bill continues to be petitioned for, Pacheco said Ruggiero “saw this as a teaching model” to be used to teach students how government works. “They learned firsthand what it’s like to negotiate policy.”

Never slowing down

Though Ruggiero enjoyed spending much of his retirement either traveling with family or being on the water as much as possible, you couldn’t keep him away from molding young minds.

In 2017, he and his wife Brenda, also an educator, started working as substitute teachers for Friedman Middle School. It was a job he kept until his passing. “That was my dad. He loved to teach and help. He just wanted to welcome the kids,” said his son Ryan.

“He connected with students in a way I didn’t see very often. He would go above and beyond the typical teachings. You wanted to be a better person because of him,” said Danielle Coute, director of humanities for Taunton Public Schools and former principal of Friedman Middle School, who enjoyed working with Ruggiero.

He also continued to coach, volunteering the last several years for Dorchester Baseball, as well as volunteering at food pantries when he could. 

Remembering William John Ruggiero

William was the loving husband of Brenda Joyce Riva Ruggiero. He is survived by his children, Brianne Gore and her husband Javin of Dorchester, and Ryan Ruggiero and his partner Peter Michalewski of Englewood, New Jersey, and his two cherished grandsons, Tabor William Gore and Maddox Francis Gore.

A wake in memory of William John Ruggiero will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, at Saint Mary’s Church in Taunton from 4 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 16, a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in his honor at 10 a.m. A burial will immediately follow in the family lot at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Taunton.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Longtime teacher and coach Bill Ruggiero passes away