Peter Joseph Ruscetta

Peter Joseph Ruscetta, 61, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2008
at his residence in Rensselaer, NY. Peter was born in Boston, MA on
May 31, 1947 and was the son of Patricia E. Sargent Ruscetta of
Watervliet, NY and the late Joseph V. Ruscetta. Raised in
Watervliet and South Colonie, NY, Peter was a 1965 graduate of
Colonie Central High School, where he played soccer and furthered
his education at Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 14, 1967 to serve his
country during the Vietnam War. During his enlistment, he served at
various posts in the U.S. and on board the USS Willard Keith
(DD-775). He was honorably discharged on October 24, 1975.
Following his military service, he continued to work for the
federal government as an electronic surveyor under the division of
Ship Building and Repair at the Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard in
San Francisco, before retiring in 1994. Peter later worked for ten
years as a caretaker for the Alexander Valley Vineyard in
Healdsburg, CA. He returned to the Capital District area of New
York State in 2004.
Peter was proud of his active involvement with AA, and enjoyed
fishing, baseball and woodworking. He was very inspirational to his
loving grandchildren who provided him with so much joy. He was the
dedicated and loving father of Scott Ruscetta (Brenda) of North
Greenbush, NY, Tina Turner (Mark) of Nassau, NY and Angela Ruscetta
(Marcel) of Latham, NY; the loving brother of Bonnie Jo Westendorf
(Neal) of Hudson, NY and Amy Anderson of Watervliet, NY. He is also
survived by seven grandchildren, two nieces, two nephews and his
dog, Sarah.
His funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the
Parker Brothers Memorial in Watervliet, NY. Interment will follow
in the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery,
Schuylerville, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that
donations be made in Peter’s memory to the Community Hospice of
Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY, 12144, or
to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY
12211. For an online guest registry, please visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.