September 7, 1928 - September 14, 2024
Rudolph V. Zsolway, 96, of Hamilton, NJ passed into the Lord’s care peacefully at his home Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Born and raised in East Trenton as the 3rd youngest of 9 siblings, Rudy attended Trenton public schools and graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1946. Drafted into the military during the Korean War, he served in the US Army with the 194th Tank Battalion 47th Infantry Division and rose to the rank of Corporal. Although Rudy was very proud of his army service, he was always reticent to take credit for it since by chance he had never deployed to Korea, and to him the heroes were the ones who fought in combat, and the ultimate heroes were those who never returned home.
After his discharge, he worked for over 20 years at the John A. Roebling Company in Trenton and later in Roebling, NJ. After the closure of Roebling, Rudy worked at Teledyne Turner Tube for a short time, eventually retiring from Philadelphia Steel and Wire. Always a steadfast and hard worker, throughout his years of employment he rose from a laborer in the steel mill to a plant supervisor.
No title he achieved could ever compare to that of devoted husband to his wife, Lorraine. The love they shared delivered them through all of life’s challenges, as they remained dedicated to one another through 71 years of marriage. After their retirement, they spent many years travelling, spending much time in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Roanoke visiting family, and vacations in Myrtle Beach, Savannah, and Cape May. They never missed the opportunity to stop in an antique store to grow their collection of Santa Claus figures and antique dolls.
Rudy passionately rooted for the New York Yankees from the time of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, as well as the Green Bay Packers from the days of Arnie Herber and Don Hutson.
His resolute strength in the face of hardship, love and dedication to his family, and witty sense of humor will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is predeceased by his parents, George and Wilhelmine (Snowfeld) Zsolway; his loving wife of 71 years, Lorraine (Ludwiczak) Zsolway; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Josephine (Kuzniacki) Ludwiczak; his brothers, William Zsolnay (Jewel), George Zsolnay (Audrey), and Russel Zolway; his sisters, Helen Gauck (Elmer), Ruth Kiss (Andy), Florence Shibovitch (Ziggy), Wilma Campitelli (Ralph), and Gertrude Ceresina (Artie); his sisters-in-law, Doris Ludwizak Mitrosky (Ernie) and Arlene Ludwiczak; and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori Balbach (Brooke) of Roanoke, VA; his devoted caregivers, his son and his wife, Rudolph R. and Kathleen Zsolway of Hamilton; his grandsons, Kyle Balbach and Ryan Balbach of Roanoke, VA; his granddaughter and caregiver, Mary Lorraine Zsolway of Hamilton; and beloved grand-dog, George.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Homes, 2141 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Cross, 201 Adeline Street, Trenton, NJ at 11:00 a.m.
Entombment will follow in St Mary’s Mausoleum.
Since there is no provision for flowers at the mausoleum, the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Monastery of St. Clare (150 White Pine Road Chesterfield, NJ 18515), the Religious Teachers Filippini, (Villa Walsh, 455 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960), to a Veterans charity of the donor’s choice, or to any charity of the donor’s choice.
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