Carmen "Cy" Rodio

DURHAM: Carmen "Cy" Rodio, 91, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Hock Family Pavilion. He was born in Hammonton, New Jersey to the late John and Rose Rodio. Cy is also predeceased by his oldest daughter Sandra Arnold.
Cy was born an only child in 1933 into a first-generation family of Italian immigrants who shared a strong passion for baseball. Graduating high school at 16 years of age, Cy had plans to attend Rutgers University to play basketball. However, after being spotted at a Philadelphia Athletics baseball try-out by then Duke baseball coach Ace Parker, plans changed. Cy was recruited to join the baseball team and attend Duke University. Cy's father told him that if Ace Parker wanted him to play baseball then he was going to Duke. John and Rose put Cy on a southbound train not knowing where Durham NC was located. Cy arrived at Duke University in the fall of 1950 with a duffle bag and a sack of veal cutlet sandwiches. He worked his way through school while playing baseball for four years including a trip to the College World Series in 1952.
While at Duke, Cy met a bright and beautiful young nursing student, Christine Skene outside the Blue Light and he swept her off her feet. After graduating from Duke with a BS in Business Administration, Cy served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He and Christine married before Cy served in Germany as a medic. Cy's service also included the great honor of playing baseball for the U.S. Army European team.
Upon completing his military service, Cy and Christine settled in Atlanta, GA where Cy worked in pharmaceutical sales. While in Atlanta, the couple had five children and were active in their community at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Decatur, GA, and local little league. The family moved to Durham, NC in 1968 where they joined the Immaculate Conception Church. Cy worked in hospital management at Duke University for 25 years before retiring.
Cy, a proud member of the Iron Dukes, remained an avid Duke fan, attending baseball, basketball, and football games for 55 years. He was a faithful and active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and St. Matthew Catholic Church constantly volunteering for the Bishop's Annual Appeal and service work for which his participation was requested. Cy coached many baseball, softball and basketball teams for his own children and others. He was an avid golfer and he and Christine travelled the nation following Duke sports teams while playing golf along the way.
Throughout Cy's storied life, to know Cy was to know what it means for a husband to love his wife, and a father to love his children. Being an only child, Cy cherished his family. He was the dad who always snuck out of work early to make it to ballgames and attend teacher/parent conferences. He would proudly parade you around his office when you pretended to stay home sick from school. People you never met would know the details of your life due to his constant bragging as a proud father. Cy's legacy is a strong family that loves and honors their mother Christine and loves and protects one another through thick and thin just as he taught them.
Mr. Rodio is survived by his wife of 69 years, Christine Rodio; daughters, Barbara Holbrook (Ralph) Ann Fisher (Marshall); sons, John Rodio (Denise), Paul Rodio (Yonica); 9 grandchildren; Becky Duncan (Ty), Matthew Holbrook, Jacob Holbrook, Jeffrey Rodio (Leah), Andrew Holbrook (Brittany), Lisa Rodio, Lee Rodio (Megan), Faye Rodio and John Paul Rodio; 2 great grandchildren, Eloise Duncan and Ian Duncan.
A memorial mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 16th at St. Matthew Catholic Church with Father John Curran officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 Mason Road Durham, NC.
Professional services provided by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be made at www.clementsfuneralservice.com.