MIDDLETOWN — Deacon James R. Rudnik, 80, of Middletown, died on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the St. Clare Home, Newport.
He was the loving husband of Ida I. (Rodrigues) Rudnik.
Born on July 12, 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was the son of the late Raymond J. and Helen F. (Wulff) Rudnik.
James’ education included attending St. Joseph’s Seminary, Athenaeum of Ohio, and St. John’s Seminary. He received his Master of Arts in Finance from Babson College and Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from Providence College. He retired in 1995 from Raytheon after a successful 30-year career, working in Wayland and Marlboro, Massachusetts. His last position was as the Manager of Discretionary Resources. He was also the company chairman for the United Way Campaign and received the Spirit of America-Summit award for Leadership. In retirement he moved to Middletown from Franklin and Bellingham, Massachusetts. He was also a retired Captain of the U.S. Navy, serving both in active duty for 4 years on the USS Boxer and in the reserves for 26 years for SPAWAR HQ 601 out of Washington D.C. and NAVELEX HQ 101 and Surface Division out of Lawrence, MA. He also served as an instructor of naval tactics at the Officer Candidate School in Newport. His significant awards were: Meritorious Service Award, Best of the Best Award, and Letter of Commendation.
His faith was always a strong part of his life, and he was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church in 2002. He was a longtime member of Jesus Saviour Church, the Holy Name Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Middletown Knights of Columbus, liaison to the Brazilian community and served as the Chaplain at the R.I. Veteran’s Home in Bristol.
Besides his wife of 53 years, he is survived by his children, Paul G. Rudnik of Middletown; Mark J. Rudnik of Carver, Massachusetts; and Marie A. Gorman and her husband Alfred of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; his siblings, Lawrence Rudnik of Hudsonville, Michigan and Rosemary Livingston of Grandville, Michigan; and six granddaughters, Samantha, Katelin and Sarah Rudnik, and Mikayla, Danielle, and Alyssa Gorman; and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral was held on Monday, October 30, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Jesus Saviour Church, Newport, with burial with military honors in St. Columba Cemetery, Browns Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Clare Home, 309 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840.
