Ralph "Dukee" Ruscello

Ralph “Dukee” Ruscello

Saint Hilary RC Church member

Ralph “Dukee” Ruscello, 87, of Washington died Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Donnell House in Washington.

He was born September 29, 1928 in Washington, a son of Joseph and Concetta DiNardo Ruscello.

During his youth, he attended school in Washington School District and then three years at Chicago Tech Academy.

He was a member of Saint Hilary Roman Catholic Church in Washington for most of his life.

He was also a member of American Legion Post ˨75 in Washington, Pulaski Club and Washington Independent Club. Mr. Ruscello was an avid coin collector and member of the Washington Coin Club “Newsomatic” and a collector of Lionel trains.

Mr. Ruscello was a Korean War U.S. Army veteran and survivor of Chosen Reservoir Battle. During his military service, he was a Banter Weight boxing champion and 1948 YMCA Boxing Champion. He also enjoyed playing baseball and football.

Jessop Steel Company employed him as a crane operator for 27 years until his retirement.

On February 10, 1953, he married Phyllis Cole, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Debra (Cesare) Horwath of Canonsburg; a son, Joseph Ruscello of Washington; four grandchildren, Leslie (Eric) Hramika, Steven Horwath, Carla Ruscello and Sarah (Ryan) DeKay; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  

Deceased are three sisters, Florence Lank, Carmella McClay and Evelyn Rogers and a brother, Joseph Ruscello.

Friends will be received 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in Dale D. DeAngelo Funeral Home at 1290 Jefferson Avenue in Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday May 31, 2016 in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church in Washington. Entombment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery Mausoleum.

A guestbook is available at www.deangelocare.com.

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