George F. Ruggeri, 88, West Chester car dealer

George F. Ruggeri, 88, of West Chester, the owner of an automobile dealership who was also a community activist, died of heart failure Aug. 13 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

Mr. Ruggeri became co-owner of General Sales Cadillac-Oldsmobile in West Chester in 1967 and became sole owner in 1983. The firm is now Ruggeri's General Sales Cadillac-Saab.

He provided cars for the West Chester University Golden Rams football club; for the Phillies and Eagles; and for the Dick Vermeil Invitational Golf Tournament, which benefits the Boy Scouts. He assisted several other charities with transportation and funding, his niece Mary Ann Dulin said, and bought the first ambulance for the Good Fellowship Ambulance Club in West Chester.

In 1978, Mr. Ruggeri helped establish Brian's Run, an annual race that benefits the disabled in the West Chester area. He also helped found the Neil Serpico Foundation, named for a former West Chester University baseball coach.

He was active with the Lions Club, the Sons of Italy, and the Rotary Club in West Chester, and was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in West Chester.

For 25 years, until the late 1970s, Mr. Ruggeri was a PIAA basketball official at colleges in the area.

A graduate of West Chester High School, Mr. Ruggeri earned varsity letters in basketball, baseball, volleyball, and football.

During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marine aboard transport ships.

After the war, he worked for ITE Circuit Breaker in Philadelphia. While there, he sold cars in his free time. He loved cars and his customers, and was at his desk until a week before his death, his niece said. She is one of seven relatives who work at General Sales.

Mr. Ruggeri is survived by his wife of 67 years, Phoebe Lewis Ruggeri; a brother, John; a sister, Francis McKay; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at noon today at General Sales Cadillac-Saab, 1265 Wilmington Pike, West Chester. Friends may call from 10 a.m.