Daniel Paul Ruggiero

Daniel P. Ruggiero, 74, died of cancer on November 16, 2021 surrounded by family at his home in Loveland, Ohio. He was born in Fremont, Ohio on January 2, 1947 to Ernest and Emma (Alleman) Ruggiero. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Peggy (Smalley) Ruggiero, his son Daniel (Kelly) Ruggiero, his daughter Susan (Gene) Salyer, his son John (Katie) Ruggiero, his grandchildren, Jacob Salyer and Sammi Salyer, his sisters Diane Duganiero of Canton, Ohio and Debbie Pilcher of Matlatcha, Florida, and many other loving family members and friends.

Dan was a graduate of Start High School in Toledo, Miami University, and the University of Toledo College of Law. He had a distinguished legal career, beginning as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio followed by 43 years in private practice in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was a mentor to many lawyers, most significantly to his daughter, who could not have asked for a greater law partner. He was known for his high standard of ethics and keen sense of right and wrong, and he always strived to do what was right.

Throughout his life he was a member and leader of many organizations including the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Portsmouth Bar Association (Board of Trustees and President), Ohio State Bar Association (Board of Governors), Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Executive Committee), Portsmouth Rotary (President), Scioto County Area Foundation (Chairman), Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (President), South Central Ohio Miami University Alumni Chapter (President), Southern Ohio Community Concert Association (Board of Directors), Portsmouth Area Artist Series (Board of Directors), and the Portsmouth Trojan Athletic Booster Club (Board of Directors).

Dan was an athlete and avid sports fan. He coached his children in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and tennis and was the Portsmouth High School boys’ tennis coach for several years. He completed too many 5Ks to count and ran many other races including Flying Pig relays. When he ran with his family members, he often logged twice the length of the races due to how many times he circled back to check on them. He spent months planning for his annual fishing trips to the Boundary Waters of Canada with his buddies. He was a co-owner of the Portsmouth Explorers baseball team. He loved attending sporting events with his family and friends. The family sports text chains will never be the same without his wry observations.

Most importantly, he was an amazing husband and father. He was always by Peggy’s side. One of their favorite activities was bicycling on the Loveland Bike Trail, throughout the United States and in Germany, France, and the Puglia region of Italy. When they weren’t traveling throughout the world together, they enjoyed drinking wine on their deck and spending time with family.

A memorial gathering open to all is planned for Sunday January 2, 2022 from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Lofts Coffee Company in Portsmouth. Arrangements are under the direction of Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford. Memories may be sent to www.edafh.com. Donations may be made in Dan’s honor to the Scioto Foundation UCAN General Fund: www.sciotofoundation.org P.O. Box 911, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.

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