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Al Ruocchio, 1937-2007

Al Ruocchio In fond and loving memory of our friend and colleague, Al Ruocchio, who passed away during the morning of February 8, 2007.

Al was born in Flushing, New York on the ninth of April 1937. After his arrival his family moved three miles to Whitestone where he attended New York City Schools P.S. 30 and P.S. 79. He went to Bayside High School and graduated in 1954. Then it was off to attend Columbia College where he earned an AB in 1958 and his BSEE from Columbia's School of Engineering in 1959, followed by his MSEE from Columbia's School of Engineering in 1961. While an undergraduate he earned a full Teaching Fellowship for his graduate work.

He joined IBM, Poughkeepsie, NY in June of 1961 and moved to Raleigh with IBM in June of 1966. He retired from IBM July of 1992 as a Senior Engineer. He was a professional engineer in the State of North Carolina. More recently he had his own consulting engineering business for both electrical engineering and acoustical consulting.

Al married his wife Eleanor in May of 1962 and they have three sons, Paul, John and Peter. In addition there are four grandsons and one granddaughter.

Al went on the air with the WCPE Opera House on April 17, 1980. Opera was not his formal education or degree, it was one of his loves. In addition, he also loved toy trains, and he had a very complete collection including Lionel, American Flyer, Ives, Dorfan, Carlisle & Finch and Bing.

Al was very active with his church, St. Raphael The Archangel on Falls of the Neuse, and was on the Board of Directors of "The Frankie Lemmon School and Development Center" for over 25 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a prime mover for the first 14 years of the Knights' yearly campaign for the mentally retarded. He was also the National President of The Train Collectors Association. In addition he was a Cub Master for 3 years when his boys John and Paul were of that age.

He had many interests but his most beloved interest was his family.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers at WCPE, we extend our condolences and best wishes to Al's wife Eleanor and the rest of the Ruocchio family.

A dedication and passion like Al's will not be forgotten.

Submit and read condolences and memories of Al Ruocchio.

"WCPE's Voice of Opera Dies"
The News & Observer, February 9, 2007

"WCPE loses its opera lover"
The News & Observer, February 10, 2007

Al's Obituary
The News & Observer, February 10, 2007

"A many splendored life"
The News & Observer, February 13, 2007

 
 

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