Charles [“Charlie”] Peter Rusciano, Sr. [nee Carmino Peter Rusciano] was born into a loving home on South 7th Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey, [“Little Italy”], to Joseph Peter Rusciano and MadaLena Cortazzo Rusciano on Labor Day, September 3, 1926.
Having just celebrated his 81st, he passed into eternal life on September 8, 2007 at home in Gilroy, CA, surrounded by his loving family.
He was the most beloved husband and enduring companion of his wife, Judith [Judy] Glovin Rusciano, of 53 years, most devoted father of daughter Charlene Rusciano Raisch and her husband Bryan, and, son Charles Peter Rusciano, Jr. and his wife Margaret, [Ellie], doting “PaPa” of three grandchildren, Nicole, Hunter, and Tristan. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. His favorite memory of his youth was growing up Italian American with friends and a lot of relatives – all living within blocks of one another.
Charlie was a voracious reader and life-long student, graduating from Thomas A. Edison Vocational and Technical High School in June 1944, and completing many college courses at various universities. During World War II, he joined the Navy and was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christie, Texas. He met his future wife, Judy, at a dance at the Perth Amboy Ballroom. Smitten, he asked her to marry him within the month. However, being a cautious young woman, Mom opted for a true courtship. Two years after having met, and one year after their engagement was announced, they were married on May 15, 1954, at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Charlie enjoyed employment as a facilities engineer at A.G. McKee Company, Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. in Nutley, New Jersey, Cutter Laboratories in Berkeley, CA, and retired from Syntex in Palo Alto, CA.
Charlie and Judy raised their two children mainly in New Jersey; and moved to California in 1971. Schooling and close family ties were most important to Charlie. Throughout their married life, Charlie and Judy traveled to various parts of the United States, to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, and, Mexico.
Charlie was a founding member of Saint John Vianney Church, Colonia, New Jersey, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
In 1988, Charlie and Judy left their Almaden Valley home and re-settled in Copperopolis, CA. They both enjoyed taking each of the grandchildren for “one-on-one” time every summer. They returned to the Bay Area in 2001 to be closer to their children and family, living with their son Charles and Ellie.
We would like to thank the nurses at Saint Louise Hospital in Gilroy for taking such great care of our darling Charlie; to Dr. Green and to Dr. Leung, our heartfelt thanks for giving us more time with him.
No services will be held in accordance with his wishes. Memorial gifts may be made to Saint Louise Hospital, Gilroy, CA or to the Gilroy Public Library, Gilroy, CA.
We will cherish you in our hearts forever and smile at the thought of seeing you again someday.
