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Rodolfo G. "Rudy" Lira

Rodolfo Lira Obituary

LIRA Rodolfo G. A loving husband and father, Rudy Lira, 72 years, of West Toledo, passed away Sunday evening, January 25, 2009, at the St. Vincent Vascular and Heart Surgery center. Born and raised in Asherton, Texas, Rudy moved to the Toledo area in the early 1960s. From 1980 through 1983 he was a lay minister along with his wife in the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, TX. Rudy was a migrant worker from 1945 to 1963 when he began working for the Lucas County Welfare Department until 1969. He then moved over to the Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Great Toledo until 1980. He worked for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services from 1983 to 1998 when he retired. After retirement Rudy joined the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office as a client advocate until 2005. He was honored for his contribution to the community at the 5th Annual Humanitarian Awards. He was also presented the 2007 Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award for service to the Latino Community. He is the widower of Maria Lira who died in January 2008. Surviving are his children, Jesse A. Lira, Reyes Lira, Mrs. Maria (Mohammed) Jamaleddin and Rodolfo Lira, Jr. The grandchildren are Mathew, Monica, Erica, Reyes Lira Jr., Laila and Jesse Lira, Jr. Also surviving is his sister, Elvira Hernandez. He was preceded by his parents, Reyes and Luz (Garcia) Lira and sisters, Magdalena Alfaro, Rita Gonzales and Conception Correa, brothers, Luis and Vincent Lira. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S Reynolds Rd. on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday 2-8 p.m. where services will be held at 7:00 p.m. each evening. Funeral services will begin in the mortuary Saturday at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at SS. Peter and Paul Church at 10 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may take the form of a contribution to the family. Please view and sign the "on-line" guest registry at www.CoyleFuneral Home.com

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Published by The Blade from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Rodolfo Lira

21 Entries

Rebeca Macias

February 27, 2009

I am very sorry to have heard this late about Rudy passing away. My heart and prayers go out to the family. Rudy was a very good and close freand of my dad, Max Macias. I will miss Rudy. Rudy was very kind and had a heart of gold. My love goes out to all his family. Please keep in touch. My e-mail address is: [email protected]. Please except my sincere apology for not being at the funeral. I would like to hear from Rudy (Baby) jr. Take care. May God continue to bless you all.
Rebeca( Becky) Macias

Sandra Barrientos Capiroli

January 31, 2009

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I worked w/Rudy at the OBES. Rudy shared in my meeting my husband through to being a deacon at our wedding in 1986. We remain with you in spirit and know that Rudy will continue to "make a difference" now in unison with his wife and the Good Lord. He has touched soo many lives and has made the world a better place! Ciro y Sandy

Alicia Alafa

January 30, 2009

My condolences to Rudy Lira's family. Though I never met his children, I knew both of your parents. I worked with Rudy along with Victor & Maria Rodriguez at the Migrant Rest Center. We were long time friends! Rudy was always ready to help migrant farmworkers or as a spiritual helper in the prison ministry. I thank God for letting me have known him and know he now rerturns to his heavenly father & home! May he rest in peace.

Hermalinda Moreno

January 30, 2009

TO : Lira Family
I had the honor to work with your father at the Guadalupe Center. I did clerical work for the office along with other wonderful people working together to help others.

When the office moved to a different location with another name EOPA MIGRANT DIVSION I was also under his supervision.

Thanks to your father I learned to stand up to other individuals when
it came to people needing assistance, especially the young children.

The International Conference that we attended in Chicago was one that til this day it's still a constant reminder that anyone can learn a skill or several skills in your own language and later learn to speak English and be sucessful holding on to job.

We were all very Blessed to help so many individuals with so many services, visiting all the county areas.

When I went to work for the Health Dept. we still kept in touch in reference to our evening clinic schedules. He would always refer families to our clinic.

Remember your father as a great
Hero for all his services.

Ms. Lisa Canales'

January 30, 2009

To: The Lira Family- My Sincere Consolences to you and your loved one's. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Rudy thru the City of Toledo. What a wonderful man and a true advocate for the Latino Community. He will be missed, and our appreciation for all that he did for those that could not "fight" for them selves.

Most Sincerely,
Ms. Lisa Canales' and family.

Isabel Sanchez

January 30, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Vernon & Lavonda Jackson

January 29, 2009

Rudy Jr.
God Bless you and your family during these times and rest assure that your father is in good hands. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

January 29, 2009

Lira family,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Your father was a good man. I was his secretary many years ago at EOPA, Migrant Division. It was a pleasure to be in his company and watch him in "action" in helping others less fortunate. He will be dearly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Sincerely,
Suzie Martinez Balderas
Mishawaka, Indiana

Barb Healy

January 29, 2009

I knew Rudy and his work for the last 20yrs. I actually work at a doctor's office where he was a patient, but knew of his work from patients that he had helped over the years. Several times when we needed an interpreter he gladly helped us out. His goodness was more far reaching than many will ever know, and his love for his fellow man was admirable. There are not many "Rudy Liras "in this world.We will miss him. Thoughts and prayers to his family. I know how much he loved God and how happy he will be to be with him.

Jenn (Huckaba) Bransford

January 29, 2009

I would like to give my most sincere condolences to the family. I have have been friends with Rodolfo Lira Jr. for nearly 10 years now. We were co-workers at Ford Motor Company. Rudy (Jr) would always speak of his family and father. They were the most important things to him. Although I had never met his father, I know he was a good man. It is surely apparent by the caring and sweet son he raised. God Bless the family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sheila Anderson

January 29, 2009

Maria,
Sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I still remember you from the BWS.

Chalo Campos

January 29, 2009

My father, Jim Campos Sr., would have said, Deacon, Brother, Friend. Mr. Lira was all that and more. Mr. Lira helped many people from all walks of life. Regardless of the color of your skin, but the motivation in your heart to succeed !!
God bless you Lira family !

Teresa Alonzo

January 28, 2009

Sorry, to hear about your lost. My parent are your parents compadre's. Their sorry to hear about the lost of your father Rudy Lira. Your parents are the Godparents to my sister Patricia Alonzo. My parents names are Antonio & Olva Alonzo. Your dad and my father had great history together they both were involved in Floc in the past fighting for the immigrants rights. But he will be missed. Our family sends our condolences to you and your family.

Raquel Nelson - Rizzuto

January 28, 2009

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Rudy. I am the granddaughter to one of his "best" friends, Bert Puente. I also had the pleasure of working with Rudy as a victim advocate. He was such a sweet, kind man with a huge heart. He will be dearly missed.

Clyde lopez

January 28, 2009

Rudy will be missed by many. He served his country his community and his Lord and Savior. Rest in peace Dear friend.

Mark Heller

January 28, 2009

My condolences to Mr. Lira's family and the larger Toledo community. His work on behalf of farmworkers and immigrants was deeply respected by those who came in contact with him, including me. There was no one more reliable in getting things done for those who he worked for and with. He will be missed, but I and others will continue to remember him and this will help strengthen our resolve to build a just society.

Rosa Puente-Bourque

January 28, 2009

I am so sorry about your dad. He and your mom were very good friends of my brother (Beto Puente and Quica). I am sure they are all celebrating joyfully. Your parents were good people.

Byron Jensen

January 28, 2009

Rudy was a quiet yet powerful influence on my life. His continued service to God and people was powerful. He was a great listener and wise advisor in matter related to the Latino people.

Teresa Rodriguez

January 28, 2009

I am so sorry to hear about Rudy's death. He was a very good friend of my parents - Richard and Refugia Rodriguez and to our family. He and Maria were always laughing and joking around. Everyone that came in contact with them became family. We know keep your family in our prayers during this difficult time. May they both rest in eternal peace.

Addie Adams

January 28, 2009

I am so sorry to hear the news of Mr. Lira's passing. This world is a better place because he was in it. I met Mr. and Mrs. Lira on the Habitat for Humanity project with Dana. Mrs. Lira made us homemade tamales and they both treated us like family. They both will be sorely missed in the community.

J.R. and Linda Dix

January 27, 2009

May his Spirit soar and join with those that have gone on before and may you met him in your dreams... our sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad he will be missed by many...

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