The Rev. Alfred G. "Ted" Ruggles , 72, of Lyndonville, died peacefully
Monday morning Feb. 22, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving
family. He was born July 23, 1937, in Lyndon, the son of Fred and G.
Laurette (Grenier) Ruggles. A graduate of Lyndon Institute's class of 1955,
Ted later graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington,
D.C. During high school, Ted enlisted in the Vermont National Guard. In
1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1978 with the rank of
master sergeant. He then worked for VOSHA in Montpelier for 15 years as
the chief safety compliance officer. In the late 1980s he served as the
pastor of the Sheffield Federated Church. He then moved to New York
State where he served as the pastor of the United Methodist Church in
Speculator/Lake Pleasant, N.Y., retiring in 2001. In 2002 he joined the
Vermont State Guard serving as chaplain and colonel. He also took on a
new job in 2002 with Lyndon Furniture as safety consultant and director.
When Rev. Ruggles returned from his ministry in New York, he attended
the Lyndonville United Methodist Church and also was a part time Pastor at
the East Haven Chapel. He was a life member of the VFW post 10038 of
Lyndonville. Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and
man of God. His favorite pastimes included spending time with his family,
fishing, hunting, restoring his 1969 Ford Ranger pickup truck and a 1954
Chevy pickup. Survivors include his wife, Nancy (Lepine) Ruggles of
Lyndonville whom he married on Feb. 8, 1964; two sons, Kevin C. Ruggles
and wife Carol "Jay" of Sutton, and Keith A. Ruggles and partner Sue of
Concord, N.C.; a daughter, Kimberly A. Payne and husband Jeremiah of
Concord, N.C.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five brothers,
George Ruggles Sr. and wife Gail of East Haven, Peter Ruggles and wife
Gloria of East Burke and California, Kenneth Ruggles and wife Nancy of
New Haven, Steven Ruggles and wife Nancy of Florida, and Timothy
Ruggles and wife Laural of Glover; four sisters, Ann Fassett of Lyndonville,
Judy Boulay of Lyndonville, Linda Wells and husband Fred of St.
Johnsbury, and Joyce Dionne and husband Marcel of St. Johnsbury; many
nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends in Vermont, New York and
beyond. He was predeceased by a brother, Charles "Skip" Ruggles in
1963; a sister, Paula Young; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will
be held Saturday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. at Lyndonville United Methodist Church
with the Rev. Barbara Dwyer officiating. Spring burial with military honors
will be held in Woodmont Cemetery in East Burke. Friends may call on the
family Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Guibord Funeral Home. Donations
made in his memory may be directed to either Caledonia Home Health Inc.,
marked for Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, or
Lyndonville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 543, Lyndonville, VT 05851-0543.
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