Rodolfo Antonio "Rudy" DiLudovico

Rodolfo Antonio “Rudy” DiLudovico, age 90, of Drexel Hill, PA, passed away on September 10, 2023, with his loving family by his side.

Born in San Salvo, Italy, Province of Chieti, he was the son of the late Raffaele and Elvira (née Zuccorononno) DiLudovico, and emigrated to the United States in 1947 on a commercial ship, The Marine Perch, to reunite with his father, who would travel back and forth to Italy to make sure he could make a life for his family in the U.S. His mother and brother, Camillo, joined them 6 months later.

Rudy served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, as a Private First Class, where he was known as “Tony.” He received a National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged. 

Rudy was a master tailor, who learned his trade in Italy, and worked two jobs for most of his life to provide for his family, whom he cherished more than anything. He met his future wife, Giovanna, a seamstress, at Weintraub Bros. in Philadelphia, where they both worked, and were married in 1957. He worked at Korvette’s and Eugene Jacobs, and spent many a night tailoring in his basement to make sure the work was done in the time that he promised to his customers. He loved being outdoors in the summer, tending to his fig tree and flowers (weeds included); watching the birds in his yard; drinking wine; listening to classical music, opera, the Boston Pops, and Army marching band tunes; reading anything he could about history; and building model airplanes. But, most of all, he was crazy about his family and always wanted to help his girls.

Rudy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Giovanna (née D’Angelo) DiLudovico; the loving father of Marisa Corrado, Diane DiLudovico, and Josie Smith; the caring grandfather of Joanna (Ian) and Vincent, and dear D-Dad to his great-grandson,  James the 5^th, who was the apple of his eye. Rudy was predeceased by his brother, Camillo DiLudovico.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing, Thursday, September 14, 2023, 8:30 to 9:45 AM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA  19073, 610-353-6300, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA  19026.  Interment SS Peter and Paul Cemetery.