Rita A. (Gendron) Gugino, 90, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Mansonville, Quebec, Canada she was the daughter of the late Edmond and Elmeria (Carrier) Gendron.

Rita moved to Glen Sutten, Quebec as a child with her family and attended local schools.   She later moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario at the age of eighteen where she met her husband, Charles A. Gugino. On October 30, 1951 she and Charles were married at St. Mary of the Cataract Church in Niagara Falls, NY where she currently resided. Mr. Gugino predeceased her on November 2, 2002. On December 3, 1956 Rita became a United States citizen. She and her husband owned and operated Gino's Tavern and Gugino's Service Station located on 4 ^th Street and Erie Avenue in Niagara Falls. Following urban renewal in the 1960's they relocated their business to Pine Avenue and 25 ^th Street where she continued helping alongside her husband. She later worked as a waitress at various local restaurants including Rogers Restaurant in LaSalle and retired at the age of seventy.   Rita was a member of the Women of the Moose in Niagara Falls. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed spending their winters in Ft. Myers, FL. She also loved gardening and spending time with her family. Rita took great pride in the fact she was able to live on her own and maintain her home up until her passing.

Rita is survived by one son Charles A. (Deborah) Gugino, Jr. of Niagara Falls, NY and was predeceased by one son Dennis E. Gugino. She is also survived by two granddaughters Stephanie (Chris) Toohey and Jennifer (Carlo) Figliomeni; two great granddaughters Isabella Figliomeni and Ava Figliomeni; one sister Laurette (late Michel) Gendron of Montreal, Quebec; one brother Andre Gendron of St. Mary's, Quebec; one sister-in-law Ivy Jackson; her niece, Joane Lusignan (late Jean-Rene) Deziel and nephew, Richard Lusignan (Sylvie Brunet) and their son, Etienne. She was predeceased by three brothers Maurice Gendron, Pete (Renald of Sutton, Quebec) Gendron and Philipee Gendron and one sister Normande (Robert Lusignan of Laval, Quebec) Gendron.

Visitation will be on Monday May 5 ^th from 3 – 5:30 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY concluding with a funeral service at 5:30 p.m. with Rev. Duane Klizek officiating.   Interment at the convenience of the family will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice, Inc., 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.