THOMAS JAMES RUDOWSKY, IV, 53 passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 11, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with ALS. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas James Rudowsky, III and Roseanne M. Rudowsky, as well as his brother, Bret Rudowsky. He is survived by his son, Thomas James Rudowsky, V.
Tom was born July 6, 1965 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After moving to South Florida he graduated from Forest Hill and attended the University of Florida. He launched a long, successful career as an award-winning, competitive body builder, pioneering personal trainer and gym owner/operator. He founded Body Mechanics Gym in 1999 in North Palm Beach, Florida which he operated even long after his ALS diagnosis. Stubborn, independent, and determined, he continued to train clients at the gym, even when ALS left him unable to move and barely able to speak. He was seen trundling down U.S. 1 in his motorized wheelchair to get to the gym to train clients. He never gave up.
Tom was the biggest Pittsburgh Steeler fan on earth. He loved travel, the ocean, surfing, and was a voracious reader on a host of subjects, including philosophy and religion.
Far and away, his two biggest passions were his son, Thomas, and his Catholic faith. He was convinced that his diagnosis and suffering was a mission given to him by God which he embraced in a way unimaginable to most. Throughout his suffering, he never wavered in the fulfillment of his mission. He was and will always be an inspiration to those he knew. Those he knew have not only been changed for the better, they have been changed for good.
A special thanks is extended to his dedicated caregiver of almost two years, Doreen Nelson, and the wonderful team of Hospice nurses and staff.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul of the Cross, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach, FL 33408 at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2018. In lieu of flowers, online donations can be made in his memory to Farm of the Child USA, a Catholic, non-profit organization (www.farmofthechild.org).
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