Thomas Rudzinski

Thomas Rudzinski

October 4, 1952 – April 9, 2023

Thomas Rudzinski, age 70, passed away peacefully early April 9, 2023 while in the care of hospice at Wellspring Lutheran Services. Born October 4, 1952, in Hamtramck, MI, he was one of four children born to the late Arthur and Veva (Dangerfield) Rudzinski. After graduating from Gen John J Pershing High School in 1970, Tom joined the National Guard and served for six years. During that time he met his future bride, Marcia Kamprath, and they married on June 4, 1977. Tom’s interest in technology led him to the Control Data Institute, where he learned how to fix diagnostic ultrasound equipment. He then spent his entire career with a single company which provided his growing family with stability.

Even though he grew up in Detroit, he developed a love of the outdoors early on through trips to family properties in St. Clair, MI, and West Virginia. Fully embracing this slower life, Tom and Marcia settled in rural Monroe with their three children, Jason, Sarah (McCoy), and Rebecca (Powell). The family became members of Trinity Lutheran Church. While Monroe became home, Tom always made a point to gather with his siblings and their families in the Detroit area whenever possible.

Tom taught his daughters the joy of power tools and instilled a can-do attitude when faced with tasks. When their daughters moved away for college Tom and Marcia brought the tools to them, and together they all renovated college apartments. This skill is something his daughters have carried forward in their adult life- never shying away from large projects.

Tom became quite the outdoorsman in his free time. Summers were spent fishing on Lake Erie, which became such treasured memories that in the final months he said he was looking forward to fishing every day in Heaven. He found “his people” at the Canvasback Gun Club and became an active member volunteering whenever he could. Tom made lifelong friends there that were with him in his final days and hours.

Tom and Marcia spent ten cherished years wintering in Florida. In the final years of his life, Tom had been diagnosed with Myelofibrosis, a form of bone cancer, and was not able to travel back down to Florida. With the cancer taking its toll, Tom found it harder to do the things he loved, like working in the yard alongside Marcia or socializing at various Moose Lodges. Despite his weakening state, Tom was able to rally in this final year and make trips down to visit his daughters’ families in North Carolina and Alabama.

To his six grandchildren, Tom was known as “Papa T”; a moniker he chose so he could stand out as the cool grandpa. His grandchildren will remember Papa T for his eagerness to hunt for shark teeth on the beach in Florida and his impressive scores on his favorite online games.

Meeting Tom to fish in Heaven are his parents and his son, Jason who tragically died at the age of 12.

To cherish his memory Tom leaves his wife of 45 years, Marcia; two daughters, Sarah (Josh) McCoy and Rebecca (Steven) Powell; six grandchildren, Addison, Logan, and Ellington Powell and Finnegan, Declan, and Campbell McCoy; siblings, John (Candy) Rudzinski of East Tawas, MI, Chris (Jurek) Walczykowski of Madison Heights, MI, and Pam (Bill) McNeely of Florida; two brother in laws, Thomas Kamprath of Florida and Marty (Beth) Kamprath of Monroe.

Family and friends may gather Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Rupp Funeral Home starting at 1pm until the time of service at 5pm with Pastor Dennis Mann officiating. In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place following the service. The burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations are made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. To leave a favorite memory of Tom and a condolence to the family please visit www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.