Obituary of Rudolph D. Gorda

Rudolph D. "Rudy" Gorda, 85, formerly of Grand Street, Morgantown, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013, at his home in Westover surrounded by his five children. He was born in Morgantown, WV on August 16, 1928; son of the late James and Anna Gorda. Rudy was a lifelong member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Rudy graduated from St. Francis High School in 1946. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army where he served from 1951-1952 in the Korean War. He was a former distributor for Blue Ribbon Cake Company in Kingston, PA from 1954-1965. In 1965 he was hired by James D. Lester and became a life insurance agent for Guardian Life. Rudy and Jim became dear friends as they shared in more than 40 years as business partners in the Morgantown office that they started. He served as a member on the Mon Health Systems Ambulance Board for 20 years; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by son: Jimmy Gorda of Redondo Beach, CA; daughters, Janie Nehlen and husband Dan of Morgantown, Lori Rice of Morgantown, Barbara Gorda of Westover and Beth Corwin and husband Clay of Westover; grandchildren, Erin Mandel and husband Dave, Jennifer Rice, Rodney Rice, Ryan Nehlen, Danielle Nehlen, Matthew Corwin and Caroline Corwin; great-grandchildren, Madeline, Amelia and Seth Mandel, Kaden and Cameron Rice. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Martha Kensick Gorda and sister Lena Zeni. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Morgantown Hospice and caregivers, Maxine Bennett and Bonnie Fields. Family and friends will be received at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, One Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, WV on Tuesday, December 3 from 3-7p.m. A Scriptural Wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m to conclude the evening visitation. Visitation will continue Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 10:00a.m.until the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Father John V. DiBacco as celebrant. Interment will take place at East Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in Rudy's name to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, One Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508.