Edward H. Rudoy passed away at the age of 96 on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at his home in Hollywood, Florida. He was the son of Harry and Bessie Rudoy of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Ida, Gertrude, and Lillian; and his wife Belle. He is survived by his sister Mary Lernor; daughter Helaine Lasky; his son Dean Rudoy; his grandsons Mark Lasky, Jason Lasky, and Bradford Lasky; his granddaughters-in-law Kristen Lasky and Courtney Lasky; and his great-grandchildren Drew Lasky, Beau Lasky, and Maeve Lasky.

In 1922, at the age of twelve, Edward and his parents and sister Ida escaped the Russian pogroms against the Jews and emigrated to the West. Their journey was long and dangerous, but they were assisted by strangers who risked their own lives along the way. Many years later, as a young man starting a family and beginning a business in Oshkosh, Edward was in debt, but went to the bank and took out yet another loan in order to give the money to charity to fulfill an obligation he felt throughout his life to help others as he and his family were helped.

During his life in Oshkosh, Edward became a successful businessman, ultimately as president of Sadoff and Rudoy Industries, and a community philanthropist. He served on many corporate boards and was a leader in nonprofit charities. He was most proud of his contributions to the Jewish community locally and internationally, as well as to the fields of childhood development and education. He initiated the creation of the Oshkosh YMCA and he and his wife Belle were major contributors to the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh, most recently manifest in the Edward and Belle Rudoy Theater in the new facility. He and Belle created a scholarship endowment fund for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and another endowment fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation that annually provides grants to middle and high school teachers in Oshkosh to pursue creative initiatives with their students. His example of civic leadership and generosity has inspired the following two generations of his family to emulate his example.

Public visitation will be held at Seefeld Funeral Chapel, 300 North Eagle Street, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from 4:30-6:30pm on Thursday, August 2, 2007, and a private family service will take place the following day at Lake View Memorial Park. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Edward and Belle Rudoy Endowment Fund with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, 404 North Main Street, Suite 205, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901. Ed