Dino Zerucelli Rucell, 88, born in Pianezze, Italy on March 16, 1928, loving son of Eugenio Zerucelli and Elisabetta Meneghini, and step mother Angela Meneghini Randon. Grew up in Vicenza during World War II, he later resided in Baldwin, NY, Cape May, NJ, and Miami, FL. He passed away peacefully on February 20, 2017 in Miami. Dino graduated from the Nautical University of Venice, Italy in 1952. Before immigrating to the US, he worked as an engineer on tanker ships sailing throughout the world. In 1955, he left his ship in Baltimore and moved on to New York City. He met Helene, his beloved wife, at a picnic sponsored by the Italian Student Group of Columbia University. He and Helene married in September 1960. They moved to Baldwin, where they resided for 46 years. Dino worked as a custodial engineer for the New York Board of Education for 29 years and was a member of Local 891 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Beloved husband of Helene Canerot Rucell; loving father of daughter Elisabeth Rucell and her husband Geoff Marx, son John Rucell and his wife Martha Pinto, daughter Mari-Claire Uccello and her wife Kira Volz, and daughter Jessica Rucell; cherished grandfather of Willem and Gemma Marx; dear brother of Frank Zerucelli; admired uncle and godfather of Michelle Canerot; thoughtful and caring brother-in-law to Yvonne Canerot Putzek and John Gustave Canerot; and predeceased by his sister Mafalda Bellin, and brothers Mario and Piero Randon. Dino’s generosity and care was felt by many members of his extended family and friends. We hold them all dearly in our hearts.

Reposing at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 769 Merrick Rd, Baldwin, NY on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, 10 am, at St. Christopher’s RC Church in Baldwin. Internment to follow at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.

Honoring the courage and tenacity of spirit it took Dino to immigrate to the US, the family invites donations to Families For Freedom established after 9/11 in NYC to provide legal advocacy and counseling for immigrants (familiesforfreedom.org), or to the ACLU (aclu.org), in his name, in lieu of flowers, so that continuing generations can enjoy the liberties that drew him to this country.