John Merrill Rudel

OBITUARY JOHN MERRILL RUDEL 1908 - 2006 Jocko passed away peacefully at home in Longboat Key, December 18, 2006. Born in Montreal to Anna May (Ryder) and Clarence, he is survived by daughters, Christina Balfour of Toronto and Nan Basu of Sarasota, sons, John Davey of Montreal and Peter O'Connor of Longboat Key, ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and dear friend, Guy Cameron of Knowlton, Quebec. He was predeceased by both of his beloved wives, Ruby (Davey) and Emily (O'Connor), and his son, Ted. He was president of Rudel Machinery Company and a vice-president of CAE Corporation until his retirement to Longboat Key. He served on the boards of many organisations throughout his career, including AMOSKEAG, the Rexall Drug Company and the Green Mountain Horse Assoc. He was also president of Weredale House in Montreal, the American Society of Tool Engineers and a co-founder of the Knowlton Pony Club. His interests were wide-ranging and he devoted much effort to charity and social causes including Rotary and the Ruby Rudel Home, established in honour of his first wife. He belonged to many clubs including the Royal St. Lawrence and Sarasota Yacht clubs, the Kanawaki Golf Club and Los Rancheros Visitadores and lastly the U.S. Power Squadron. His positive outlook and dynamic energy inspired many. He will be remembered as a visionary always willing to lend a hand and for his valiant fight to live with dignity, kindness and joy to the end. Heartfelt thanks to those who cared for him in his final years. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Montreal. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rudel Group Home c/o Batshaw Youth and Family Center Foundation, 5 Weredale Park, Westmount, Quebec H3Z 1Y5.