Dr Robert P. "Bob" Ragusa, 88, former longtime resident of Stratford, died peacefully in his home on September 3. He was born on October 27, 1928, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

His children and their spouses, Kathi and Bill Hegenauer of Newtown; Anne Ragusa and Jamie Morris of Newtown; Michael and Cecily Ragusa of Fort Myers, Fla.; Bob and Polly Ragusa of Redwood City, Calif.; John and Janet Ragusa of Cheshire; and Patty and Jeff Cavanaugh of Cheshire survive him. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his sister, Lee Pirrotti, and her husband Tony, of Weston, Vt.

His wife, Nancy Ragusa; his parents, Carrie and Joseph Ragusa; and his brother, Joseph "Sonny" Ragusa, predeceased him.

Dr Ragusa graduated from Columbia University as an undergraduate and Georgetown University as a medical doctor.

He married the love of his life, Nancy Sullivan, in 1953, and they were married for 50 years. After serving as a captain in the Air Force during the Korean War, they moved Stratford where he started his own private medical practice.

Dr Ragusa served as president of the Fairfield County American Medical Association and was a lifelong member of the Rotary Club. He was a member of Mill River Country Club in Stratford, where he was an avid golfer. He was passionate about football and looked forward to each new football season. Dr Ragusa dedicated himself to his family and valued them above all else.

Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Thursday, September 7, from 4 to 7 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, on Friday, September 8, at 10 am. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Kevin's Community Center, PO Box 37, Newtown CT 06470.

To leave an online condolence, visit honanfh.com.