Obituary of Philip Robert Ruggiero

Philip Robert Ruggiero, East Islip, LI, aged 28 years, quietly passed away in East Islip, NY the morning of February 10, 2018. He was born on October 25, 1989 as the fifth child and only son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Barbara Ruggiero. What a welcomed little prince he was! He was the little brother of 4 sisters, Christine, Mary-Elyse, Julie and Renee. He later gained a much-desired brother-in-law, Neal Mellert, husband of Christine. His family was complete when he was given the gift of four nephews, Harrison, Knox, Graham and Crosby, via Christine and Neal. He loved spending time with those little boys and is responsible for teaching them to love and respect video games, skateboarding, finger-boarding, recycled computer parts, fidget spinners, slime and practical jokes.  Philip loved all things science, particularly biology and physics. He was truly a quintessential geek- able to fix any computer, hack any password, and outsmart any smart phone. He graduated from St. John the Baptist High School and eventually went on to graduate from Dowling College with a BS in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. This was a field in which he excelled, truly. Philip was working in a microbiology lab, Pace Analytical. He really loved his work and took pride in his laboratory.  And, just when you think you’ve got him pegged you realize he is also amazing at origami, completely skewing the picture you’ve had in your head. In fact, he constructed baby mobiles for his nephews as presents and was known to leave complex roses for his mother in random places. Philip was the gentlest man you’d ever met, never having said a mean word about anyone.  Our hearts and in fact the world will echo with his loss for all eternity. 

Reposing at the Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons East Islip Funeral Home, 200 East Main Street. Visiting Wednesday 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of his name to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 888-829-8289, 90 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016, www.bbrfoundation.org