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Albert N. Ruggieri | Contractor, 84

Albert N. Ruggieri, 84, of Media, a retired contractor who specialized in interior finishing work for homes and offices, died of throat cancer at home on Monday, Dec. 5.

Albert N. Ruggieri, 84, of Media, a retired contractor who specialized in interior finishing work for homes and offices, died of throat cancer at home on Monday, Dec. 5.

Born in Overbrook, Mr. Ruggieri attended Overbrook High School, but not long enough to graduate. Instead, he inflated his age by a year and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 16, said his son David.

During World War II, Mr. Ruggieri served in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946, working as a soundman aboard the destroyer USS Ault. In that role, he monitored for torpedoes and other hazards beneath the waves.

After the war, he attended night school at Manhattan Technical Institute's Philadelphia office, where he studied architecture and construction estimating. After graduating, he worked as an estimator for Jacobson & Co. Inc., a spinoff of a New York construction firm that had an office at 230 Vine St.

Mr. Ruggieri met his future wife, Agnes, a secretary, at Jacobson; the two were married for 61 years.

In 1964, the couple formed American Ceilings Inc. in Newtown Square, Delaware County. In 1996, Mr. Ruggieri retired from the company, which closed two years later.

Mr. Ruggieri was a former president of the Interior Finish Contractors Association of the Delaware Valley. He loved music, and for many years sang with the Chester County Chordbusters barbershop chorus.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Ruggieri is survived by another son, Steven; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, and a sister.

A viewing is planned for 9 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 N. Providence Rd., Media, Pa. 19063. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. Interment is in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.

Memorial donations may be made to the tuition fund of St. Mary Magdalen Church.