To Anita’s family (especially Maria because we’ve met at a few Concerts over the Summers), my brother Johnny and I would like to send our deepest condolences to all of you. Our Dad, Nick Ruggeri (wife Margie) was a classmate of Anita’s at North High. If I remember correctly, your Dad was in a different graduation class. My Dad looked forward to running into old friends at the Summer Concerts.
And oh, how difficult it was for our parents to have a child born with Disabilities in the 1960s! They were the trailblazers for the Individuals today who are so successful in our society! Johnny was born in 1960, and with all of his Birth Defects, doctors told my parents to put him in an institution! My parents said no and never stopped loving him (and me, as well as countless others) and fighting for services and fairness for Individuals with Special Needs! My Father was still on an evaluation board for Human Rights in Massachusetts when he passed away in 2016. (Our Mom in 2017.) Johnny and I fought for them and cared for them together in their home at the very end! Johnny is an excellent Caregiver, thanks to our parents as well as excellent teacher in Syracuse and Massachusetts!
We hope to see you tomorrow evening at the Wake. And eventually, I’d like to learn more about the programs that assisted your family with compassionate caregivers.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.