Eric Rudolph

Eric Rudolph passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at the age of 80. Eric's life was filled with family and friends who loved him dearly. Eric was the son of the late Joseph and Marion (nee Sharp) Rudolph and sibling of Gretchen Pressler, his beloved sister, two years his senior. Eric met Loretta Savastio, the love of his life, at a dance at the Italian American Club when they were teenagers. In October of 1966, they married at Sacred Heart Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania. They were married for over 57 years. They raised two children: Suzanne and Joseph. Their beloved son, Joseph, tragically died in a car accident in 1992. The family initially lived in Upper Darby, PA, then  Broomall, PA before moving to West Chester, PA in 1986. In the last ten years of his life, Eric and Loretta moved to Havertown to be closer to their daughter and other family members. 

Eric and Loretta loved each other very much and supported one another in times of happiness and sorrow. They spent many years enjoying the beach in Long Beach Island, New Jersey where they entertained friends and family frequently. They owned two dogs over the years, each Labrador Retrievers, "Ginger" and "Buck". 

Eric played football at Lower Merion High School in the early 1960s and often reminisced about his coach, Fritz Brennan, who guided and influenced him. Eric loved the company of his friends with whom he grew up in Narberth, PA. The "guys from the corner" were the source of many funny memories and much laughter and joy in his life. Their tight bond continued to the end with long standing appointments for lunch every Friday afternoon. 

Eric worked for Palmer Tire Company for sixteen years and after that, broke off to form his own business along with his business partner. Baird and Rudolph Tire Company was located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The business thrived and was a successful one. He studied books about boating and enrolled himself in a course to obtain a boating license. He owned a small speed boat that afforded him the opportunity to spend vacation time at Long Beach Island where he enjoyed his membership in the Long Beach Island Fishing Club.

In his early years, Eric loved fishing and hunting with his son, Joe, his father-in-law and brother-in-law. He taught his son and daughter the value of finding peace in nature, and appreciating music, art and creativity. He dabbled in playing the guitar, the piano, and the harmonica. His acrylic paintings consisted largely of wildlife scenes. After he retired from being a tire business owner, he devoted additional time to his art and his paintings became more intricate as he honed his talent.

Eric had a great sense of humor, was perceptive with a keen mind, and was always curious about life and people. He asked a lot of questions and in his later years, enjoyed reading John Grisham stories. He loved looking at pictures of antique cars and art pictures in magazines. He enjoyed dining out and grilling with family and friends. He loved the beach and the ocean. He enjoyed the game of football and watched it closely. 

Eric was a strong, determined man who continued to fight and persevere through every illness and problem that life threw at him.  After emergency surgery a week before his death, Eric's body could no longer fight and was placed in hospice care at Bryn Mawr Hospital. His loving family remained by his bedside the remaining days of his life. After 32 years of missing his son Joe, Eric was reunited with him leaving behind his beloved Loretta and Suzanne to carry on their legacies.

Relatives and friends are invited to Eric's visitation on Wednesday, April 24 from 9:45 am until 10:45 at St. John Neumann Church, 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr. His Funeral Mass will follow at 11 am. Interment will take place afterwards at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Broomall, PA. 

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