Peter Ruffalo Bronx, New York Obituary

Peter Ruffalo

Peter Joseph Ruffalo, 75, a prominent real estate developer and architect of Bronx, New York, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, New York. Born on November 9, 1944, to Joseph and Catherine (Miriello) Ruffalo in New York City, Peter was raised in Bronx, New York, as part of a large Italian family that included a younger brother, George Ruffalo, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, graduating in 1962; and the New York Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He was a registered architect in the state of New York. He married Marie Mercato on October 3, 1971, ay\t the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, New York. The couple have two daughters, Michelle (Joseph) Kearns, born in 1972, and Kathy (Anthony) Guglielmo, born in 1976. A true family man, Peter and his brother, George, a professional engineer, developed many real estate projects over his lifetime. Their first, however, was especially meaningful—a plot of land next to their childhood home, deeded to them by their mother. The brothers built two two-family homes on the land, which they promptly sold, effectively launching their real estate career. In 1972, the brothers formed Peter George Development Corp., and began constructing two-family homes in the Northeast Bronx. In 1977, they turned their attention to condominiums, a more sophisticated type of construction that involved the state’s attorney general and public offerings. The brothers had a lifelong partnership, which included real estate projects under such names as Ruffalo Enterprises and Ruffalo Building & Development Co., Inc. Among Peter’s accomplishments is the distinction of spearheading the Bronx’s first apartment condominium project with the 12-unit development of 1490-1994 Shore Drive; and serving as the president of the American Institute of Architecture Bronx Chapter during the mayoral eras of Edward Koch and Rudy Giuliani, a position that kept him in the forefront of the city’s development and political arena. Development projects included Bay View Estates, an eight-unit condominium in 1984; Beach Cove Estates, a 21-unit condominium in 1985; Beach Cove North, a 15-unit condominium in 1987; and one of his prized jewels, The Estates at Country Club, an 11-home condominium in 1988, to name a few. The Estates at Country Club, announced in a New York Times November 8, 1987, article, offers breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and the Throgg’s Neck Bridge. Two of the homes, built with direct waterfront access and a shared courtyard, became the long-time residences of Peter and George. Peter lived most of his life in the Bronx, except for a short, 11-month stint when he and his young family moved to Arizona, where he and his brother explored development opportunities. Despite his professional success, Peter’s most prized possession was his family and friends. He loved opening his home and heart to generations of family and friends throughout the years. He was a devoted father who taught and mentored his two daughters throughout their lives and was always first to show up “on site” to design and assist in their own families’ home building projects. One of his greatest joys were his six grandchildren, who he treasured and adored. He had an inquisitive mind and loved learning new and varied things. He spent years making homemade wine, collecting toy trains, and keeping abreast of the latest in healthy living. He also enjoyed his home in Boca Raton, Florida, where he spent many a winter month. Peter was known for hosting epic Fourth of July celebrations. He and his wife, Marie, graciously opened their home year after year to generations of family, who loved gathering together to laugh, talk and celebrate life while watching the firework displays over the Long Island Sound. Peter is survived by his wife, Marie (Mercato) Ruffalo of Bronx, New York; his two daughters, Michelle (Joseph) Kearns of Mohegan Lake, New York, and Kathy (Anthony) Guglielmo of Yorktown Heights, New York; his six grandchildren, Anthony Guglielmo, Joseph Kearns, Ava Guglielmo, Amanda Kearns, Emma Guglielmo and Justin Kearns; his brother, George Ruffalo; and many cousins and family members.
November 9, 1944 - January 4, 202011/09/194401/04/2020
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Obituary

Peter Joseph Ruffalo, 75, a prominent real estate developer and architect of Bronx, New York, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, New York. Born on November 9, 1944, to Joseph and Catherine (Miriello) Ruffalo in New York City, Peter was raised in Bronx, New York, as part of a large Italian family that included a younger brother, George Ruffalo, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, graduating in 1962; and the New York Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He was a registered architect in the state of New York. He married Marie Mercato on October 3, 1971, ay\t the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, New York. The couple have two daughters, Michelle (Joseph) Kearns, born in 1972, and Kathy (Anthony) Guglielmo, born in 1976. A true family man, Peter and his brother, George, a professional engineer, developed many real estate projects over his lifetime. Their first, however, was especially meaningful—a plot of land next to their childhood home, deeded to them by their mother. The brothers built two two-family homes on the land, which they promptly sold, effectively launching their real estate career. In 1972, the brothers formed Peter George Development Corp., and began constructing two-family homes in the Northeast Bronx. In 1977, they turned their attention to condominiums, a more sophisticated type of construction that involved the state’s attorney general and public offerings. The brothers had a lifelong partnership, which included real estate projects under such names as Ruffalo Enterprises and Ruffalo Building & Development Co., Inc. Among Peter’s accomplishments is the distinction of spearheading the Bronx’s first apartment condominium project with the 12-unit development of 1490-1994 Shore Drive; and serving as the president of the American Institute of Architecture Bronx Chapter during the mayoral eras of Edward Koch and Rudy Giuliani, a position that kept him in the forefront of the city’s development and political arena. Development projects included Bay View Estates, an eight-unit condominium in 1984; Beach Cove Estates, a 21-unit condominium in 1985; Beach Cove North, a 15-unit condominium in 1987; and one of his prized jewels, The Estates at Country Club, an 11-home condominium in 1988, to name a few. The Estates at Country Club, announced in a New York Times November 8, 1987, article, offers breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and the Throgg’s Neck Bridge. Two of the homes, built with direct waterfront access and a shared courtyard, became the long-time residences of Peter and George. Peter lived most of his life in the Bronx, except for a short, 11-month stint when he and his young family moved to Arizona, where he and his brother explored development opportunities. Despite his professional success, Peter’s most prized possession was his family and friends. He loved opening his home and heart to generations of family and friends throughout the years. He was a devoted father who taught and mentored his two daughters throughout their lives and was always first to show up “on site” to design and assist in their own families’ home building projects. One of his greatest joys were his six grandchildren, who he treasured and adored. He had an inquisitive mind and loved learning new and varied things. He spent years making homemade wine, collecting toy trains, and keeping abreast of the latest in healthy living. He also enjoyed his home in Boca Raton, Florida, where he spent many a winter month. Peter was known for hosting epic Fourth of July celebrations. He and his wife, Marie, graciously opened their home year after year to generations of family, who loved gathering together to laugh, talk and celebrate life while watching the firework displays over the Long Island Sound. Peter is survived by his wife, Marie (Mercato) Ruffalo of Bronx, New York; his two daughters, Michelle (Joseph) Kearns of Mohegan Lake, New York, and Kathy (Anthony) Guglielmo of Yorktown Heights, New York; his six grandchildren, Anthony Guglielmo, Joseph Kearns, Ava Guglielmo, Amanda Kearns, Emma Guglielmo and Justin Kearns; his brother, George Ruffalo; and many cousins and family members.

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Jan
06
First Visitation
Monday, January 06 2020
02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Sisto Funeral Home, Inc.
3489 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
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Jan
06
Second Visitation
Monday, January 06 2020
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Sisto Funeral Home, Inc.
3489 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
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Jan
07
Service
Tuesday, January 07 2020
10:30 AM
Saint Benedict's Church
2969 Otis Avenue
bronx, NY 10465
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