Antonino “Tony” Di Ruocco was born on February 9, 1946, in Capri, Italy. Tony’s involvement in the restaurant business began in Capri at Al Piccolo Bar, from 1960 through 1966. He enlisted in the mandatory Italian military service in the Navy and was discharged in 1968 with the rank of petty officer. He moved to Switzerland to travel and for more opportunity. He worked in various bars and restaurants in Switzerland from 1968 through 1975. During this time, he rubbed elbows with various famous artists, such as the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple. At this time, he met and fell in love with Patricia Ann Smith and found himself in the kitchen as a cook in Switzerland. When Patricia’s father became ill in Canada, she left Switzerland. Tony sold his red Lancia sports car and got a visa to come to Canada. Tony then worked in various restaurants in Canada from 1975 through 1979. Patricia and Tony married in 1976. They decided to build a restaurant with the help of Patricia’s mother, Jean Ruth Connolly, and her husband, Robert Connolly, in Waterbury, Vt. In 1978, their daughter, Luciana, was born. The Villa Tragara restaurant was opened in 1980 and remained open for 22 years. In 1984, the couple's son, Ciro, was born. The Villa Tragara won many awards and became world renowned. The restaurant and some of its recipes were highlighted in various local and national magazines throughout the years. Patricia and Tony were awarded the Insegna Del Risotrante Italiano by the president of Italy in 1999 for being one of the most prestigious Italian culinary establishments outside of Italy. The restaurant was also mentioned in the United States Congressional Record and won the Restauranteur of the Year award from the Vermont Restaurant and Lodging Association in 2000. Tony taught culinary classes at the Essex Technical School and performed culinary demonstrations at the New England Culinary Institute and for various other food and wine events around Vermont. Tony was one of the founding members of the Vermont Fresh Network in the 1980s. The network brings local farm products to restaurant tables around Vermont. Following the close of Villa Tragara, Tony worked in his brother Ciro’s restaurant in Capri, Lo Zodiaco, for several summer seasons throughout the years. In 2005, he was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer and beat all odds by going into full remission for 13 years. He…
Antonino “Tony” Di Ruocco was born on February 9, 1946, in Capri, Italy. Tony’s involvement in the restaurant business began in Capri at Al Piccolo Bar, from 1960 through 1966. He enlisted in the mandatory Italian military service in the Navy and was discharged in 1968 with the rank of petty officer. He moved to Switzerland to travel and for more opportunity. He worked in various bars and restaurants in Switzerland from 1968 through 1975. During this time, he rubbed elbows with various famous artists, such as the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple. At this time, he met and fell in love with Patricia Ann Smith and found himself in the kitchen as a cook in Switzerland. When Patricia’s father became ill in Canada, she left Switzerland. Tony sold his red Lancia sports car and got a visa to come to Canada. Tony then worked in various restaurants in Canada from 1975 through 1979. Patricia and Tony married in 1976. They decided to build a restaurant with the help of Patricia’s mother, Jean Ruth Connolly, and her husband, Robert Connolly, in Waterbury, Vt. In 1978, their daughter, Luciana, was born. The Villa Tragara restaurant was opened in 1980 and remained open for 22 years. In 1984, the couple's son, Ciro, was born. The Villa Tragara won many awards and became world renowned. The restaurant and some of its recipes were highlighted in various local and national magazines throughout the years. Patricia and Tony were awarded the Insegna Del Risotrante Italiano by the president of Italy in 1999 for being one of the most prestigious Italian culinary establishments outside of Italy. The restaurant was also mentioned in the United States Congressional Record and won the Restauranteur of the Year award from the Vermont Restaurant and Lodging Association in 2000. Tony taught culinary classes at the Essex Technical School and performed culinary demonstrations at the New England Culinary Institute and for various other food and wine events around Vermont. Tony was one of the founding members of the Vermont Fresh Network in the 1980s. The network brings local farm products to restaurant tables around Vermont. Following the close of Villa Tragara, Tony worked in his brother Ciro’s restaurant in Capri, Lo Zodiaco, for several summer seasons throughout the years. In 2005, he was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer and beat all odds by going into full remission for 13 years. He…