89, of Route 169, S. Woodstock , died Monday, July 29, 2013 in UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. Born in Pawtucket, RI, he was the only son of Polish immigrant weavers, the late John and Mary (Grzyb) Tomasik.
Rudy owned and operated Woodstock Airport for 60 years. His love of aviation began in grade school, when he won many first place prizes in model airplane contests. At 14 he was the gopher (go for) at the seaplane base in New Bedford, MA the year it was destroyed by the 1938 hurricane. He soloed at age 18, and logged over 5100 flight hours without an accident in his lifetime. Throughout his career as fixed base operator, Rudy trained hundreds of pilots, licensed many at his part 141 school, maintained and inspected airplanes as an A&P and FAA IA, ran a “jumpers” club for years, ran the Woodstock RC Flyers radio control club, and offered local citizens the chance to see the annual Woodstock “Fair from the Air” initially “for just a penny a pound.” In his early years at the airport, Rudy worked multiple shifts as a weaver and maintained machinery in local mills throughout the area. Rudy cared for his mother, Mary, throughout her life, and Mary ran the 1950’s style “snack bar” until she passed away in 1987 at the age of 91.
Rudy was a World War II veteran and the only surviving member of his army unit. He held a war service appointment with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Field, Virginia, where his work included tests on Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose model. Later, Rudy hoped to join the Army Air Corp, but he was drafted and deployed during the Battle of the Bulge with Headquarters Company, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division of Patton’s Third Army. As an Intelligence and Reconnaissance (I&R) scout, Rudy was commended two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star, and he assisted in liberation of the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp at war’s end.
Rudy also joined the Civil Air Patrol during WW II and took part in many CAP squadrons in Virginia and his local area, including as squadron commander of the CAP at his airport during the 1955 hurricane. Rudy received the Charles Taylor Award from FAA for 50 years as an A&P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic in 2004, and the Wright Brothers Award for 50 years as a Master Pilot in 2006. He was a member of American Legion in Woodstock, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Putnam.
Rudy will be remembered for his passion for recreational aviation and radio control flying, his love of dancing, and DJ-ing at the VFW. He inspired all he met through his strong, visible qualities of his vintage authenticity, generosity, honesty, integrity, exuberance and his self-deprecating sense of humor.
Rudy is survived by his daughter, Holly Markham and her husband David; grandchildren Kayla and Landon; and many friends from his Woodstock Airport family. Relatives, friends and the general public are invited to a graveside service with Military Honors for Rudy at 12:30 pm on Saturday August 3, 2013 in Elmvale Cemetery, Roseland Park Rd. (near Senexet Road), Woodstock, CT, followed by a gathering at the VFW, 207 Providence St., Putnam, CT. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
John D. Getz
I have known Rudy since getting involved with aviation in 1988. Rudy did a owner assisted annual on my Piper six a number of years ago. He was always generous with his aviation knowledge. We often talked about WWII and Viet Nam and I shared some WWII videos that I had with him in his last year of his life. If you wanted to find Rudy at the airport he was either working on a airplane or just look up where he was repairing his roof. I am deeply sorry for your loss and will miss Rudy.
Fred Duda
I took several flying lessons from Rudy back in the early 70’s. He was a patient and enthusiastic teacher. I remember having trouble keeping my stomach settled practicing stalls. During one lesson I somehow was able to handle it so Rudy had me do dozens of them in a row – anyone watching from below must have thought we were having engine trouble! I will always cherish those memories of flying that black & white Cessna 150 around Woodstock with Rudy. Even if I could barely understand a word he was saying while were up there!
Terry D. Janes
I am deeply saddened to learn of Rudy’s passing. Rudy was one of the sweetest men I ever knew. He was also one of the bravest. The 80th Division was very stingy about giving men medals, almost like the general thought he had to pay for them himself. Scouts like Rudy were a rare breed. They had to go out into enemy territory, all alone, and figure out where the enemy was at and what their strength was. The only way to do that was to get yourself shot at, and Rudy got shot at a lot. As part of the I&R (Intelligence & Reconnaissance) Platoon, there were 15,000 men depending on Rudy to let them know what to expect. The fact that Rudy got two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star medal from a medal-stingy general, speaks volumes of his bravery. Rudy was a living legend among his fellow Scouts, and his work no doubt saved many thousands of lives as the war progressed. Rudy was a very humble man, so I doubt that he let many people know about his battle exploits. I hope his family and friends can find peace with his loss, and you will be in our prayers. Whenever I see a plane fly over, I will think of Rudy. Rest in peace buddy!
Tom R,
As Rudy’s immediate neighbor I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him through bumping into him, or he would occasionally stop by for a chat. His old school values of integrity, humor, kindness, and fiery passion will be missed. My money is on him being on eternal wing now. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Glen Brodeur
My condolances to Rudy’s daughter Holly and her family. My first ride in a plane was in 1957 at “DeFlores Field” (Woodsock) with my dad. Years later Rudy would become my instructor and aviation mentor. As a skilled mechanic he took care of my plane and helped me get my Private Pilots license. He was always generous with his time and advice and willing to share stories of times past and listen to new ones as friends do. Another aiation great has “Gone West”. I am deeply saddend and heartbroke over this loss to Holly’s family, myself, and the aviation community.
Roger Robert
My deepest sympathy to Rudy ‘s family .
Walt Rucki Jr
Our lives without Rudy will lack the spark he always provided. He was a joy to be with. Our prayers are with his Family and Friends.
Nancy Beaudry
So sorry to hear of your loss. My father Joe Darche and Rudy were good friends. My dad passed away in 1989 but I have very fond memories of Woodstock Airport and my father’s love of flying. I would accompany him on many occasions. I know they are flying together now in peace.
Nancy Beaudry
Richard C Dorr
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air….
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
– Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
So sorry for our loss of a great friend and mentor.Rest in Peace my friend.