24, 2021. By his side was his loving life companion of the past fifteen years Jacqueline (Jackie) McDonald. Dom had been fighting small cell lung cancer for ten months attributed to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in combat in Vietnam.
Dom was born in Bristol, Connecticut on August 18, 1939 to Dominic J. and Raffaella (Nellie) Ruggerio. He left Bristol after his sophomore year of high school to pursue his dream of becoming an officer in the United States Army. Dom spent his last two years at and graduated from Bordentown Military Institute in New Jersey and then received his bachelor’s degree from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. While at Norwich, he enlisted in the Vermont National Guard and upon graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army.
Dom is survived by his four children: Dominic Jr. (Nicole), Anne Carlson (Jeff), Mary Mannucci (Daniele) and Kathryn Hermann (Steven). He was blessed to have ten grandchildren: Danielle, Regan and Joseph Ruggerio; Everett and William Carlson; Lorenzo Mannucci; Hannah (deceased), Madeline, Steven and Andrew Hermann. He was preceded in death by his only sister Rita and her husband Ross Elliott. He is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Ross, Catherine (Dennis) and Patty (Matthew); and Jackie’s children: Gabrielle, Jennifer and Matthew (Sarah) along with Jackie’s grandchildren Molly and Anne.
Dom’s 30-year army career was well decorated, and he held command positions at every rank from Lieutenant to Colonel culminating with command of the Army’s largest tank brigade consisting of over 7,000 soldiers and 1,000 support civilians. He was assigned to some of the Army’s most decorated units including the 101st Airborne Division which he served with for a year in the Republic of Vietnam. He took great pride in being a US Cavalry trooper with the First Cav Division and the 12th Cavalry Regiment. He served on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee for President Ronald Reagan. Dom won many awards, highlighted by the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Air Assault Badge. Dom also received a master’s degree from the University of Maine while serving.
After retiring as a full Colonel, Dom had a long career in the private sector mentoring and inspiring many young professionals. He served on numerous boards including the Board of Fellows and the Board of Trustees at his alma mater Norwich University. He had a great passion for life and especially loved fly-fishing and riding his Harley. He could be found every morning at the gym working out and amazed everyone he met with his Love of Life. The first to rise and the last to bed, he did not want to ever miss a chance to make his mark on the world.
Dom will be laid to rest at Norwich University in Vermont this spring. He wanted to make sure he was there for the opening of trout season. Colonel, you touched everyone you met and we all salute you for a life lived to its fullest. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Vietnam Veterans of America; Rolling Thunder, Chapter 1, IL; or a donation in memory of COL Dominic Ruggerio and mailed to: Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield VT 05663.
Published by Chicago Tribune on Dec. 26, 2021.
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