Frank Joseph Ruggero was born on March 3,1950, in Detroit, Michigan. He attended St Leonard Catholic School, where he first met his future wife, Margaret. He graduated from the all-male Catholic Notre Dame High School, while Margaret attended the all-female Catholic Regina High School next door.  She began to get a ride to school from a friend of Frank's during their senior year.  Frank showed up in his tan Volkswagen Beetle at her parent's home after graduation to see her; and they spent almost every day together until his sudden passing on October 8, 2022.

As a boy, he was adored by his Italian-speaking grandmother, as he just said aloud last week, she called him,"il figlio bello di nonna:'' His mom flooded the whole front yard to make an ice rink every winter and he enjoyed playing hockey with his brother and the boys in the neighborhood. He was the big brother to his little sister who remembers his kindness, like pulling her through the snow on the toboggan.  He and his older brother were quite rambunctious but also looked out for each other, like the time one hid the bad report card in a culvert from mom and dad, but didn't tell.

As a teenager, he got a drum set and was self-taught. He had a lifelong passion for music. Frank was a drummer in a band with friends, and then continued to have a drum set in the basement or garage throughout his life.  The neighbors never complained.  He learned to play guitar from a friend at work.  Family & friend gatherings often included his guitar playing and sing-a-longs. In his retirement years in Pentwater, he could often be found in the afternoon sitting outside grilling chicken and playing guitar, but he particularly enjoyed playing songs with his grandson.

Although he grew up around cars in the motor city, he spent many summers and weekends in northern Michigan and Canada hunting and fishing with his dad, brother, uncles and cousins.  The love of the outdoors prompted him to want to make a move to the country.  He was an avid gardener.  Growing healthy food to feed his family brought him joy.  Family and friends raved about the fresh and savory meals.  He chopped his own wood, plowed his own snow, planted hundreds of trees and enjoyed wild game meals.  He drew the blueprint plans for two homes for his family to live and enjoy.  Frank served as a leader for eight years in the St Clair County 4-H club, coaching softball and assisting his wife with the Christmas plays.  He was a self-taught master craftsman and woodworker, designing and building pine wood furniture in his garage woodshop for his homes. Two family dogs accompanied him outdoors doing chores over the years, Dillion and Boomer.

Shortly after graduating from high school, he began a thirty five year career working at Chrysler Corporation.  First, as a mechanic and running tests in the lab, and later, after going to night school to obtain his associates degree from Macomb Community College in hydraulic engineering, working as a vehicle dynamic engineer.  He had fun testing the handling of the latest cars during his commute and on the proving grounds test track.  He drove cross country across the USA and Europe testing cars, which led to some travel opportunities for him and his wife. The time he spent and the friendships he made in Italy further enhanced the already incredible family meals. Luckily, the recipes have been recorded to be continued and shared.  He enjoyed many years of retirement fishing, woodworking and enjoying "the good life" near Lake Michigan.

He lived up to his name, known to be quite frank in expressing his opinions, which was something those who knew him well loved and appreciated about him.  He was good at lightening the mood.  Extravagance was not his thing, but every meal, family activity and time spent was quality time and cherished above all else. Frank and Margaret's home was a place everyone looked forward to visiting to enjoy simple pleasures whether it was the pond and 10 acres in Marine City, "the farm" in Morrice, or "the cottage" in Pentwater.  He was the go-to person if you needed advice, counsel, or how to fix something.  Even if he told you something you did not want to hear, his insights were respected and sought after. Frank was introspective and found contentment in his solitary pursuits. Most recently, he was reading a book of poetry by Longfellow and a book about Great Lakes fishing.

Frank's most meaningful accomplishments in life were his dedication to his wife, daughter and grandson. He will be greatly missed by his siblings and extended family and friends who fondly remember time spent with Frank: pulling the hay wagon with his tractor, talking about hockey or fishing, holiday gatherings, floating in the pond, playing ping pong, having a glass of wine over an amazing homemade meal, picking pumpkins from his land, snowmobiling, ice skating, cross country skiing, his homemade cookies, and sunsets over Lake Michigan. He was someone you could count on and enjoy the simple joys of life with: an afternoon, a meal, a song, a hike, a game or just sitting quietly together.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of fifty three years.  He felt they were truly meant for each other and he loved her, "to the moon and back." Frank and his daughter, very much alike, adored each other and she accompanied her dad throughout his life enjoying his hobbies alongside him.  He played a significant role in his grandson's upbringing; supporting him throughout his education, activities, and internships.  Grandpa Frank described himself as   "evolving," as he was more willing to travel, outside of his comfort zone, for family vacations to Florida, Alaska, New York and Savannah/Hilton Head Island in his retirement years.

He is survived by: his wife, Margaret; daughter, Vida; grandson, Carlo Pardo; brother, Herbert John; sister, Lisa (Steve) Ball; and his loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and longtime friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Shirley.

An outdoor celebration of Frank's life will be planned for August 2023, with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions are made to:

Tunnels to Towers: www.t2t.org , or St Jude's Children's Hospital: www.stjude.org .

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com