Kenneth Rudolph

1936 - 2021

Retired New York State Supreme Court Justice, Kenneth Rudolph, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on December 26, 2021, aged 85. A graduate of Fordham University School of Law, class of 1961, Ken embraced the university's motto "in the service of others" throughout his legal career and his life.

He was born to Catherine and William Rudolph on July 29, 1936. While attending Fordham University for his undergraduate studies, he began dating Patricia Harney in the summer of 1958, kindling a romance that spanned more than six decades. They were married in 1960. Ken would often fondly share that, "Meeting Pat was the best thing that ever happened to me." They went on to have six children, nineteen grandchildren and five great-children.

He began his expansive legal career as an Assistant United States Attorney, appointed by President John F. Kennedy, before transitioning into private practice as a co-founding member of Rudolph & Altieri. He was appointed in 1984 as Acting Judge of the City of New Rochelle, New York and later became the Presiding Judge in 1991. In 1995, he was elected to the Supreme Court of the State of New York. He later became the Presiding Justice of the Commercial Division in 2000 until his retirement in 2009. From 2003 to 2009, he also served as the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Term for the 9th and 10th Judicial Districts. In addition, he proudly served as a Lieutenant Colonel with The New York Guard Judge Advocate General's (JAG).

He earned a reputation as a distinguished jurist, a loyal colleague and great friend. He often appeared on public television and radio to discuss the function of the judiciary in our society and, in 1994, he was invited by the Office of the President of United States as a judicial representative to confer on Crime Leadership at the White House.

An avid golfer, Ken enjoyed spending time at his beloved Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle. In retirement, Ken played golf at Stockbridge Golf Club in the Berkshires of Massachusetts where he and Pat relocated and, in winters, they spent their time at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He and Pat traveled the world with their friends and family, golf clubs always in tow, never missing an opportunity to visit the 19th hole.

Ken was a most loving father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was predeceased by his mother, Catherine, and father, William. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, their six children, Kelli (Mark) Lionetti, Kenneth (Cindy) Rudolph, Kathy (James) Petrino, Allison (Edward) Maguire, William (Gina) Rudolph, Jennifer (Kathryn) Rudolph, nineteen grandchildren, Ryan, David, Ashley, Alex, Chelsea, Taylor, Kira, Alexandra, Christian, Nicholas, Hailey, Christopher, Faith, Kelsey, Patrick, Robert, Will, Grace and Andrew, and five great-grandchildren, Enzo, Tom, Kiana, Nico and Jameson.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Heart Failure Society of America. Visitation will be held from 4pm to 8pm on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home in Mamaroneck, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 10am at Our Lady of Sorrows in White Plains, New York. For more information, please contact Coxe & Graziano, www.coxeandgraziano.com.