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Bart Ruggiere Date of Birth: October 15, 1968 Department: TradeSpark Position: Broker Bart was a person that left big footprints, a straw that stirred the drink in so many ways, a “gatherer”, of people that is, as one of his dear friends referred to him. Bart, in his uniqueness and energy and passion for enjoying life and people, was a reference point for many of us – you know, you should be more like Bart, Bart wouldn’t worry about that, Bart sure knows how to have fun, or I don’t know how Bart gets away with it, Bart always lands on his feet – Bart sure knows how to enjoy life – and whether you were of similar make-up as Bart or were somewhat more grounded, you gravitated to Bart and his happy-go-lucky ways. In the ultimate acknowledgment of Bart’s individuality, he became his own adjective – things became “so Bart”! In between jobs and leasing a black Mercedes – so Bart. Eighty friends for a holiday party in a 700 square foot apartment – Bart. Seersucker suit and saddle shoes at your barbecue – totally Bart. It is because of Bart’s extraordinary personality and social skills and lovable swagger and the many other traits that made the instinctive description of him – “Bart – he’s a great guy”. These same traits already make his absence that much more conspicuous and painful. I was so counting on that reference point having a huge impact on my kids and Bart’s other nieces and nephews, but they’ve been robbed of that now. And while we must and will go on, and while the departed are always missed, I fear that this hole in our hearts and our lives will never truly heal. – Excerpt from eulogy given by Larry DeParis
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Bart was a person that left big footprints, a straw that stirred the drink in so many ways, a
“gatherer”, of people that is, as one of his dear friends referred to him. Bart, in his uniqueness and energy and passion for enjoying life and people, was a reference point for many of us – you know, you should be more like Bart, Bart wouldn’t worry about that, Bart sure knows how to have fun, or I don’t know how Bart gets away with it, Bart always lands on his feet – Bart sure knows how to enjoy life – and whether you were of similar make-up as Bart or were somewhat more grounded, you gravitated to Bart and his happy-go-lucky ways.
In the ultimate acknowledgment of Bart’s individuality, he became his own adjective – things became “so Bart”! In between jobs and leasing a black Mercedes – so Bart. Eighty friends for a holiday party in a 700 square foot apartment – Bart. Seersucker suit and saddle shoes at your barbecue – totally Bart. It is because of Bart’s extraordinary personality and social skills and lovable swagger and the many other traits that made the instinctive description of him – “Bart – he’s a great guy”. These same traits already make his absence that much more conspicuous and painful. I was so counting on that reference point having a huge impact on my kids and Bart’s other nieces and nephews, but they’ve been robbed of that now. And while we must and will go on, and while the departed are always missed, I fear that this hole in our hearts and our lives will never truly heal.
– Excerpt from eulogy given by Larry DeParis
Bart has been a household name in my family for years. It seems like Bart has been around forever. He was “my older sister’s friend Bart”. It wasn’t until 5 years ago that I could claim Bart as a friend of my own. Bart and I started working together 5 years ago at Tradition. As I grew to know Bart, I realized why my sister had cherished their friendship and stayed good friends for all those years. Bart was generous, fun loving, funny and he was a GREAT friend.
If you were one of Bart’s friends you were very lucky. If you were one of Bart’s friends you would hear from all different sources all the great things Bart would say about you when you weren’t there (even if they were slightly exaggerated).
With Bart as my friend, I never felt like I was in a jam. He was there to put in the extra lock in my door…drive me to work when I was running “a little late”…fax me full directions including a hand drawn map for anyplace in the Northeast that I had to go…close out my credit card when he saw it getting slightly out of hand…Bart had the advice, person to contact, or helping hand to get me out of any predicament. He was like an older brother who had all the answers.
Bart was ALWAYS a good friend to me.
I am very lucky and grateful for knowing Bart and having him in my life. I think of him every day and will always remember him.
My condolences to Claudia, all of Bart’s family and to all his many, many friends.
Unfortunately, I didn’t know Bart but have recently become friends with his wife Claudia. I too, lost my husband in the WTC on that tragic day. Mutual friends introduced us and we’ve been friends ever since. When I hear her talk of Bart I can honestly tell her I know how she feels. I believe that helps both of us. I know he was a special person and that he was so very blessed to have had the beautiful relationship that he had with Claudia. I wish I had met Bart, but I feel as if I know him through the memories that Claudia shares with me. It is so easy to exist instead of live–Bart knew how to live. Thank you Claudia for sharing Bart’s memory with me.
I met Bart during my Senior year at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. We were looking for some strong recruits who could lead the fraternity chapter in the coming years. Bart charmed us with his quick wit and expressions which always fit the situation at hand. He was the President of his pledge class and soon became President of our chapter. Always one to charm and tease, Bart made the time to spend with friends and somehow one always seemed to feel close yet picked on in a warm and friendly way. Always the New Yorker, Bart knew his accented voice stood out from the rest of ours and he made it a part of his charming uniqueness. His personal leadership style and ability to make friends was an example for others to follow and he is greatly missed.
On 9/11/01, our family suffered a great loss. Bart J. Ruggiere who worked on the 105th floor at Cantor Fitzgerald, was taken from us, without warning, without reason, without goodbyes. Bart was not only a friend he was family in our hearts. I Knew Bart since he was born. We grew as one family living next store from each other. The Fontana’s with 4 girls the Ruggiere’s with 3 boys and a girl. We did everything together from playing kickball on the street to swimming on swim teams in Port Washington L.I. Every Dec. 26th our families drove to Vermont to ski and celebrate the New Year together. We were fortunate enough to celebrate life with Bart for 32 years.
Bart loved New York City. He proposed to his wife, Claudia Gerbasi, in Central Park and they exchanged vows in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Bart was literally on top of the world, 105 floors above the city he loved, and one floor below a 5 star restaurant. It was this love for the beauty of New York that we believe should be the motif for a memorial at ground zero. We have all been asked about the type of memorial that should be built at ground zero. I have struggled to find an appropriate manner in which to express our horrific sense of loss, for all the victims and families, while at the same time celebrating the beauty they all brought to our lives. My suggestion is to construct two ponds, one at each tower site, surrounded by benches and cherry blossoms planted in memory of all the victims of the attack. The ponds will allow us to reflect upon our losses, while the cherry blossoms will particularly in spring, remind us of the beauty each of these people brought to our lives.
On Sept. 11,2001 to make a statement, Terrorist targeted and destroyed many lives way outside the area we call Ground Zero. Fittingly, lower Manhattan should be rebuilt, in truth it is the love which will be our family’s memorial, but ponds and cherry blossoms that bring beauty back to lower Manhattan would be fitting for a city Bart loved so much. The spirit and beauty of these people will not be forgotten and they have become symbols for this great country and way of life.