Joan Teresa (Ruggerio) Erias, 86, passed away on October 3, 2018. She was born in New York City, NY on August 28, 1932, the daughter of the late Mariano and Anne (Schwartz) Ruggiero and raised in Astoria, NY by foster parents, the late Frank and Clara Casella.

She attended P.S. 122 in Queens through 8th grade and graduated from Long Island City High School on January 31, 1951.

Before the age of 16, she worked in a variety of jobs - pin-setter at a bowling alley; bath house attendant at Lake Ronkonkoma; counter girl at Heppt's Bakery, pattern trimmer at a sweatshop in Patchogue, L.I. and always babysitting. At 17, she went to work at Bond Clothes in Times Square as a runner salesgirl.

After graduation from high school in February 1951, she went to work for American Airlines corporate offices on Park Avenue as a file clerk and worked her way up to secretary to the supervisor of the payroll department.

In 1955, she married Baltico "Bo" Erias in Astoria, NY. Mr. Erias predeceased her on January 25, 2007. Bo shipped out to Korea later that same year. After Bo's stint in the Army in 1957 they relocated to Kansas City, MO where Bo was involved in basketball for the industrial league. This didn't last long (4 months) before moving back to Astoria. The next move in 1958 was to Niagara Falls where they found their family home.
In 1972 she went to work at Jenss Department Store on Main Street and worked there for 13 years. Her next job was her favorite, Church Secretary at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, retiring in 1997.

Throughout these times, Joan was active in many religious and educational communities. These included the Parish Council; President of the Mother's Club at OLMC School; Chairperson of many social functions such as Monte Carlo Nights, Fashion Shows and Card Parties; President of Parents Association at Niagara Catholic High School; Chairperson for Niagara Catholic's Fun Fest for 3 years; Woman of the Year Award from Niagara Catholic High School; Eucharistic Minister being commissioned at the first ceremony in 1974, serving at OLMC; weekday Lector and Altar Server; Coordinator of St. Joseph Table, Bereavement Lunches, Treasurer of Altar/Rosary Society; President of the Carmelite Seniors; group leader for senior bus trips; recipient of St. Joseph the Worker Award, member of The Legion of Mary; Cristoforo Colombo Women's Society; Madonna Soccorso Society; Volare Lodge and volunteer at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Home.

Joan's main interests was taking care of her family, especially cooking and baking for them. Fun times were playing cards with the Tuesday afternoon Card Club and lately a Poker Club.

In 2005, 14 months before Bo passed away, they had the privilege of traveling to Europe on a 3-week pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain, France and Italy, this trip was the highlight of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Joan is survived by her children; Adrienne (James) Hughes, Diana (Sam) Aiga, Juanita (Robert) Naughton, David (Laura) Erias, Christopher (Penny) Erias, Andrew (Susan Goodison) Erias, Mary Clare Erias, and Anthony (Sandra) Erias. Cherished grandmother of Michael, Marc, Jesse, Liam, Shawna, Aquina, Benjamin, Erica, Jennifer, Susanna, Brian, Kayla, Leah, Tressa, Bo, Lauren, Adam, Cole, Kyra, Ethan, Gianna and Anthony. Great grandchildren, Dominic, Emma, Kyra, Ethan and special delivery great grandson Christopher Jeffrey. Also survived by sisters, Frances Kollias and Rita (Endel) Tellason, Jocelyn (late Louis) Cafone, brother John (Rose) Ruggiero. Brother-in-law Adrian (Barbara) Erias and sister-in-law Linda (Michael) McMahon, Also survived by twenty-two nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Barbara (Patrick) Ruggiero and a special niece, Annette Pauly.

Visitation will be Friday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 P.M. at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL. 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Saturday October 6th at 9:15 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in Holy Family Parish at Mt. Carmel Church, 27th Street and Independence Ave. Niagara Falls, NY. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to Holy Family Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel/St. Joseph Church. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.