Rudolph A. “Rudy” Zona, 82, of West Boylston, surrounded by his family, moved on to a better place to watch over them on Thursday, April 30, 2009 after a courageous battle with Leukemia.

    Rudy is survived by his devoted wife and partner of fifty-six years, Elaine V. (Johnson) Zona; three devoted daughters: Debbie Parker of West Boylston, Diane Santelli and her husband Jimmy, Christine DeAngelis and her husband John all of Charlton; nine beautiful and loving grandchildren: Sarah (Parker) O’Keefe and her husband Dan, Michael Rudolph and Dan Parker, Tony, Joey, and Janna Santelli, Tim, Mat and Rachel DeAngelis; two soon to be great-grandchildren: Elise Parker O’Keefe and Cassady Rose Parker; three brothers: Mario and Louis “Gigi” Zona both of Worcester, and Richard Zona of California; three brothers: Eddie, John, and Nick Zona and a sister, Dora Basiul all predeceased him.

    Rudy was born in Worcester; his parents were the late Prisco and Virginia (Merola) Zona formerly of Sparanise, Italy. He graduated from Worcester Boys Trade and enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. After returning from the War, Rudy earned a degree in Accounting from The New England School of Accounting in 1949.

    Rudy worked as a welder for Wyman-Gordon Company in Grafton, as well as a police officer for the Town of West Boylston for twenty-five years before retiring. During this time, Rudy earned his teaching degree and later taught welding at Putnam Vocational Technical High School in Springfield and night school at Worcester Boys Trade. Above all, his true passion was his family.

    Rudy was a member of St Joan of Arc Church, the Eastside Post 201 American Legion, the West Boylston VFW Post, The Mass. Police Association and Mass. Teachers Association.

    Rudy’s funeral will be held Monday, May 4th from the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln St. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family Sunday, May 3rd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Clinic, Care of Umass-Memorial Health Care, University Campus, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA 01655.

    The Zona family would like to thank the nurses and staff of 6 ICU and especially the Cancer Clinic at the University Campus for their compassion, kindness and care during this difficult time.