They had two children, Erin and Jimmy, and enjoyed their regular bike rides
PARSIPPANY - The couple killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday on I-287 were married for 28 years and regularly rode together on weekends as one of their favorite things to do together, according to their daughter.
James and Denise Ruggiero were "amazing parents and friends" and "had that unconditional love you only come across once" in a lifetime, their daughter Erin Ruggiero said in email.
"They passed on happy and doing what they loved together as they always were," Erin Ruggiero said. "They were amazing individuals and a dynamic duo."
James Ruggiero Jr., 56, and Denise Hannon Ruggiero, 53, of Hamburg, were killed when their 1994 Kawasaki motorcycle veered off I-287 in Morris County around 11 a.m. and struck a guardrail. Both were thrown from the motorcycle, according to the State Police.
James Ruggiero was driving and the cause of the crash is unknown, police said.
Erin Ruggiero, 24, said her father had been riding motorcycles for more than 20 years and her parents' special rides were a regular highlight. She said they were loving parents to her and her brother Jimmy, 25.
Erin Ruggiero said she believes her father may have been trying to pull off the road due to some emergency when he struck the guardrail.
A GoFundMe page was created to raise money for the family. It has raised more than $1,200 in 12 hours.
Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.