AMESBURY: Aubrey Louis Ruggles, 88, formerly of Magnolia, died Friday, January 11, 2013 in the Amesbury Village Nursing & Rehabilitation Center with his wife by his side. He was the husband of Geraldine O. (Nichols) Ruggles.
Born in Unionville, Connecticut on December 8, 1924, he was the son of the late Benjamin C. and Stella M. (Ward) Ruggles. His family moved to Gloucester when he was ten and he was a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1943.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served as a Fireman, First Class. Aubrey was stationed aboard a minesweeper, the USS YMS 73, then a sub-chaser, the USS SC 744, which was sunk by Kamikazes and lastly the USS PCE 851, a patrol craft. Honorably discharged in April of 1946, he was the recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two campaign stars and the Navy Unit C Commendation.
Upon his return from the war, he worked for the First National Stores for thirty years, until they closed. He then was employed by Varian until his retirement in 1989.
Aubrey was a member of the Captain Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion and the Cape Ann Ham Radio Club, and was also a Civil Defense Volunteer.
He was an avid camera buff, taking many 8mm films of family and friends, and later on video. He also loved music and had an extensive record collection dating back to the 1940’s.
Following his retirement, he enjoyed RVing with his wife, Gerrie, as members of the Good Sam’s RV Club. Aubrey was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
In addition to his wife of nineteen years, he is survived by three daughters, Sherry, wife of Skip Vicari of Magnolia and Hudson, FL, Kathy, wife of Andy Pastagal of Gloucester, Lori, wife of Ed Dalton of Manchester, NH; five stepdaughters, Donna, wife of Richard Morse of Fremont, NH, Lisa, wife of Glen Kimball of Haverhill, Sherry, wife of David Bourgeois of Plaistow, NH, Lisa Nichols of Rochester, NH, Julie Nichols of Baileyville, ME; two stepsons, Brian Nichols of Natick and Jeff Nichols of Rye, NH; four grandchildren, twelve step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild. Aubrey was also predeceased by his wife of forty-six years, Audrey I. (Karnes) Ruggles, who died in February of 1991, and his brother, Benjamin C. Ruggles, Jr.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday morning in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Amesbury Village Resident Activities, 22 Maple St., Amesbury, MA 01913. Interment will be held in the Beechbrook Cemetery.