Mrs. Gloria M. (Rossetti) Ruggiero, 91, of Milford MA died Wednesday (March 12, 2025) at the Timothy Daniels House in Holliston MA after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph L. Ruggiero who died in 2000.

Gloria was born in Hopedale MA, the daughter of the late Joseph Rossetti and the late Clementina "Kara" (Bracci) Rossetti. She attended Mendon & Milford public schools as a young girl and was a graduate of the former St. Mary's High School, Class of 1951. As a kid, her big brothers named her "Jake". They loved their little sister.

Gloria was first employed as a young woman as a bookkeeper at the Beneficial Finance Company located in Milford MA. One day while bowling she met Joe Ruggiero at the bowling alley owned by his father and grandfather. They were married in 1957 and in 1964 Gloria, Joe and their 3 young children moved to Holliston MA, where they lived for 26 years. She then became a devoted housewife & mother, raising her family while her children were young.

After raising her family she was employed at Mass Mailing, located in Holliston MA in the 1970's. Her late husband Joe grew up in Milford , and he and Gloria owned & operated the Sorrento Room on Central Street in Milford MA for a number of years, even expanding and opening Sorrento II and Sorrento III in surrounding towns. But they both always loved the Cape, spending summers at their various homes in Hyannis, West Harwich and then finally East Sandwich. When they were not working, Gloria , Joe and the kids loved spending time at the beach.

Joe's dream from childhood was to own a restaurant in Buzzard's Bay known as "Tiny Jim's". Gloria and Joe finally purchased Tiny Jim's and soon after, renovated the building, renaming the restaurant "Ruggiero's". Joe ran the restaurants, but during busier times, Gloria was the "Hostess with the Mostest" as she has always been a friend to everyone she ever met.

After retirement and selling the restaurants, they moved to Florida. When Joe's health required more care than they felt the doctors in Florida were providing, they moved back to MA, and settled in a lovely neighborhood in Milford. Back to their roots!

Gloria had volunteered as a young mother as an assistant Brownie Leader, and also taught CCD. She loved animals & people. But her favorite past time was spending time with her beloved family members & friends.

Gloria is survived by her 3 children: Karen Cropper and her husband Steve Cropper of Hingham MA & Ponte Vedra Beach FL, Linda Fraser and her husband Iain Fraser of Scituate MA and Joseph Ruggiero Jr. of Mount Dora FL; her 3 grandchildren: Lawrence Stone and his wife Alicia Stone of Holliston MA, Kenneth Stone and his wife Sarah Stone of Norwell MA and Taylor Paff and her husband Stephen Paff of Portland OR; her 6 great grandchildren: Sivana Stone, K.J. Stone, Kali Stone, Bonnie Stone, Ozzy Stone and Clover Paff ; also several nieces & nephews.

Gloria was the sister of the late Joseph Rossetti; the late Paul Rossetti; the late Robert Rossetti & the late Irene Paganelli; she was also the grandmother of the late Alan Stone Jr. Gloria was blessed with the companionship of the late Donald Belforti in the later 18 years of her life.

Her funeral will be held Wednesday ( March 19th) from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 7 East Main Street, Milford MA. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford MA. A visiting hour will be held Wednesday (March 19th) from   9:30am to 10:30am at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, prior to her Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to an Animal Rescue Organization of your choice.