Louis J. Ruscigno
March 9, 1913 — October 15, 2017
Louis J. Ruscigno
March 9, 1913 - October 15, 2017
Louis Ruscigno was born in Portland, Oregon, son of Italian immigrants Giacomo Ruscigno and Maria Costantina Petrelli Ruscigno. Louis lived in South Portland the first few years of his life, moving to a home the family bought in North Portland when he was about fourteen years old. He lived in North Portland the remainder of his life, in the same neighborhood as his parents, his brothers, and one sister.
After school was out for the day, Louis sold newspapers on the streets of downtown Portland with his brothers. He left school at sixteen years of age to help support the family, working at Montag Stove Works with his father and older brothers.
In 1939 Louis married Alma Rollandi of Astoria, Oregon. They were married 64 years, until Alma’s death in 2003.
Louis worked as an accountant most of his working life, first in the office at Montag Stove Works, and for many years at Cunocar Accounting Service as an accountant and tax preparer, retiring from Cunocar at 67 years of age.
Louis and Alma enjoyed fishing from their boat, trips to Alma’s family in Astoria, visiting family and friends, and hosting family and friends at their home on Willamette Blvd. in Portland. Louis grew roses and always had a vegetable garden and fruit trees at his home. Louis often had a bouquet of flowers, vegetables, fruit, or a covered dish of spaghetti or fried zucchini when he visited family.
Louis and Alma did not have children of their own, but welcomed all eighteen of their nieces and nephews into their home and always had time to listen and advise. They made everyone feel loved, like we were all part of a big family, and we were.
Louis is predeceased by his wife Alma, six brothers, one sister, and two nephews. Louis leaves behind his sister, Helen Cartales of Vancouver, WA, and sixteen nieces, nephews, their spouses and children, neighbors, and friends. Louis was deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed.