Rudolph "Rudy" Rauco

Rudolph Ralph Rauco (Rudy), age 90 of Jacksonville Florida passed away on Wednesday December 14th, 2022. Rudy was born in Ashland, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1932, to Luigi Rauco and Catherine D’Angelo Rauco.

Rudy’s father immigrated from Italy and Rudy grew up in traditional Italian home. Their house was filled with wonderful Italian food and music. His father owned a shoemaker’s shop and Rudy and his siblings helped there while they were growing up.

After graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in Ashland, he joined the US Army and served 3 years during the Korean War. After the war he moved to Pottstown, PA. and began a career in the paint manufacturing business. He worked in that field for the next 31 years, retiring as the plant manager of a company in Reading, Pennsylvania. He retired in 1994 and he and his wife Ann moved to Jacksonville, Florida.

Rudy’s hobbies were photography and sports. He was the one that was always taking pictures at family functions. He was active in sports his whole life. He coached American Legion Youth baseball for over 25 years, taking a few of his teams to the state playoffs. He was an avid bowler, for years bowling 3 nights a week. He even has a perfect 300 game to his credit.

Later in his life his real passion was golf. After retiring to Florida, he worked at two different golf courses over the last 26 years. He played 3-4 times a week in men’s leagues and tournaments. Through golf he made a lot of friends and was loved by his golf buddies and customers at the golf clubs. He even “shot his age” when he was well into his 80’s.

He was a big Jaguars supporter, but his real team was the New York Yankees baseball club. It was a team he followed from his childhood. If you knew Rudy, you would know he was a huge Yankees fan.

Rudy is predeceased by his parents and his brothers Ludwick and Bernard.

He is survived by his loving wife Ann, brother Louis (Bernie), sister Kathleen, son Jim (Beverly), daughter Debbie (Tommie), stepdaughter Nicole (Alex), ten grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

A visitation (with military honors and a rosary) for Rudy will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Rauco family.