Obituary of Rudolph F. "Rudy" Scialdo

HERKIMER – Mr. Rudolph F. “Rudy” Scialdo, age 91, of Steuben Road, Herkimer and Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Monday evening, October 15, 2018 at Albany Medical Center. Rudy was a lifelong Herkimer resident, prominent area businessman, entrepreneur, volunteer and philanthropist. He is once again reunited with the love of his life, Rena; and together they shared their sixty-eighth wedding anniversary in Heaven. 

Born in Herkimer on September 18, 1927, Rudolph was the son of the late Claudio and Bettina (Comparoni) Scialdo. His childhood was spent in Herkimer and he was a graduate from Herkimer High School. Upon the completion of his schooling, he attended college classes in Troy, NY, until his enlistment with the United States Army. As a dedicated patriot, Rudy proudly served his country during World War II, and remained an ardent veteran throughout his life.

On October 15, 1950, Rudy was wed to the former Rena Mornelli by the Reverend Lynch in St. Joseph’s Church, Little Falls, and together they shared in sixty-three years, filled with love, laughter and family, until Rena’s passing on February 25, 2014.

Rudy’s business ventures spanned many decades and he was well known by those in his community as an honest and hardworking man. He was the owner of C. Scialdo & Sons construction for many years; concurrently, he owned and operated the Herkimer Diamond Mines/ KOA Resort from 1979-1997. He was also the owner of the Prospect Inn in Herkimer from 1979-1991; the CEO of the Library Bureau from 1990-1996; the owner of RBS Millwork from 1982-1994; the owner of Scialdo Realty from 1965-2014; as well as the operator of RIMM Construction and CRIM Associates.

In the rare times when Rudy wasn’t working to support his family, he spent much of his time within his community, actively participating in its various organizations. From 1978-1998, Rudy was the Management Trustee of the Laborers' Union for Healthcare and Pension Funds and also held a position as the Executive Director of Leatherstocking Country. He was the President and a sixteen-year member of the Board of Directors for the Mohawk Valley Builders’ Exchange; and a longtime member of the Herkimer Elks Lodge, the Herkimer Knights of Columbus and the Herkimer Lions Club.

Beyond all of this, Rudy still managed to enjoy the everyday blessings of his life. He was a family man, who gave his all to his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoyed the game of golf, never missing an opportunity to spend a day outdoors with family and friends; a passion that he continued to enjoy up until the very end. He also upheld his traditions of Tuesday night pasta and Wednesday evenings out for an Absolut and dinner with the guys. He was an avid geology enthusiast and even after his retirement, continued to volunteer in business operations of the Herkimer Diamond Mines.

For over forty-five years, Rudy and his wife, Rena, spent their winters in Florida. The two loved the sunshine and their social life, and they created a lifetime of memories with the many friends they made at their second home. This year would have marked Rudy’s fiftieth year in Florida and his presence at North Leisure Gardens, the community of which he was part of for a very long time, will be missed. 

The legacy that Rudy leaves behind is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed by those who were closest to him. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Renee Scialdo Shevat and her husband, Sam of Cobleskill; his son, Rudolph “Rudy” Scialdo II and his wife, Deborah Dempsey Scialdo of Herkimer; and three beloved grandchildren, Samuel Shevat, III, Rudolph John Shevat and William Scialdo. He also leaves his in-laws, Harry Mornelli and Bonnie Loschiavo of Little Falls, Ronnie Mornelli and Barbara Schwartz of Dolgeville and Lucy Yturralde of Texas; along with his godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, too numerous to mention.

Besides his parents and wife, Rena, he was predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Roland and Marian Scialdo, William and Mary Scialdo, Michael and Lena Scialdo, Andrew and Marie Scialdo and Marshall and Lucy Scialdo; his sister, Ida Scialdo-Guzzo and husband, Thomas; his nieces, Andrea Scialdo and Kathy Varano-Bortniak; and his nephews, Sgt. Marc Anthony Scialdo, US Army, KIA, Afghanistan, 2013, Cory Scialdo, Benjamin Fusco, Salvatore Fusco and Gregory Paul Mornelli. He was also predeceased by his in-laws, Olga and Greg Fusco, Gino Mornelli, Connie Mornelli, and Elda and Greg Varano.

A special thank you is extended to Dr. Fred Talarico and his staff; along with the Emergency Room staffs of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center and the Albany Medical Center, for their efforts and compassion.

Although he was a lifelong Herkimer resident, services for Rudy will be held at the Enea Family Funeral Home’s largest location in Frankfort-Ilion. Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 2:00PM – 6:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Members of the Herkimer Lions Club are asked to gather at the funeral home at 4:00PM to conduct their ritualistic service.

Rudy’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday morning, October 22, 2018 at 10:00AM at the funeral home and at 11:00AM at Sts. Anthony & Joseph Church in Herkimer, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Quy Vo, Pastor. Procession will follow to St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Herkimer, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved, Rena. Full military honors will be accorded.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the Herkimer Lions Club, PO Box 171, Herkimer, NY 13350 OR to the Claudio and Bettina Scialdo Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Herkimer County College Foundation Office, 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The Scialdo / Shevat families have entrusted all service arrangements to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, funeral directors of the Enea Family Funeral Homes. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.