Joseph DeRugeriis | Bakery owner, 86

Joseph DeRugeriis, 86, owner of the former American Baking Co. in South Philadelphia, died of cancer Monday at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. He resided in Springfield, Delaware County.

A graduate of Bishop Neumann High School, he attended Temple University on a wrestling scholarship. But, his son, Joseph Jr. said, his education ended when his scholarship ended because "he tore his knee up and unfortunately in those days, that was the end."

In the 1950s, his son said, Mr. DeRugeriis became a partner in the bakery at 13th and Wharton Streets, where his father, two brothers and three uncles were already partners.

The bakery, specializing in bread and rolls, lasted into the 1980s when, his son said, the heavy lifting of the business "took its toll on his body."

He was a member of the Pennsylvania Retail Bakers Association and the Philadelphia Hotel and Motor Inn Association, and the Knights of Columbus.

Besides his son, he is survived by his wife, Mary; stepson, Jerry DiPhillippo; daughter, Angela Beckman; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. His first wife, Nancy, died in 1982.

A visitation is set for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Holy Cross Church, 651 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield, Delaware County, followed by an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass there. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.