Rudnick, Leonard
By Canton CitizenLeonard “Lenny” Rudnick of Wellington, FL, and Canton, passed away on February 1, 2024, at the age of 97 and a half.
Lenny was the son of the late Solomon and Bertha Rudnick. Brother of the late Joe and Bea Rudnick and Marise Rudnick and the late Rita and Charlie Fienberg. Married to the late Mimi (Marcus) Rudnick from 1946 until her death in 1988. Beloved father of George and Judy Rudnick and Elaine and Herb Lamb. Cherished grandfather of Stacy and Micah Pollack, Dana and Kevin Mahoney, David and Jennifer Rudnick, Jonathan and Lauren Paris, Brett and Scott Nigloschy, Brandon Lamb, and Kendra and Mike Focken. Adored great-grandfather of Miranda, Braeden, Bronwyn, Maia, Jasper, and Judah Mahoney; Taryn and Davis Lamb; Max and Jaden Pollack; Phoebe and Sage Rudnick; Eben and Lev Paris; and Mackenzie and Walker Nigloschy.
Lenny grew up in Dorchester and enlisted in the Navy on his 17th birthday in 1943. He proudly served during World War II; after basic training in Newport, RI, and Hospital Corps School in Portsmouth, VA, he boarded the U.S.S. Leo (AKA60) in the Philippines in 1944. Lenny was awarded two Gold Star Medals of Honor for his participation in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Upon returning home at age 19, Lenny married Mimi, the love of his life, and they raised their family in Milton. Lenny ran a small hardware store, S. Rudnick and Son, with his father; eventually he opened a chain of home improvement stores called Ashmont Discount and successfully ran them with his family for 50 years. Lenny treated his customers like friends and his employees like family.
Lenny was a strong supporter of immigrants and minorities. From a young age, he saw the way people treated his immigrant parents and dedicated his life to ensuring that everyone was treated equally and with respect, often providing them shelter and jobs.
Family always came first to Lenny. He and Mimi lived on the same street as his siblings in Milton and Nantasket and would vacation with them often. After Mimi’s death, he traveled with and visited his grandchildren in Europe, Asia and Israel. Lenny joyfully celebrated every milestone for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lenny enjoyed golf for most of his adult life and walked the course instead of using a cart into his 90s. To the amazement of pretty much everyone, he waterskied well into his 80s. He attributed daily exercise to the secret of his longevity.
Special thanks to his amazing caretaker, Rachael, now a member of the family, for almost two years of unwavering love and support.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 6, at Schlossberg Chapel, 824 Washington Street, followed by burial at Sharon Memorial Park. Donations in Lenny’s memory can be made to the Jewish War Veterans, 1811 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, or to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 West Bryn Mawr Ave., #550, Chicago, IL 60631.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=121840
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Feb 8 2024. Filed under Obituaries.
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