Rudolph Louis Zendri, 82, of 609 Virginia Road, St. Marys, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015, at his residence, after a lengthy illness.
He was born May 20, 1933, in Lucesco, PA, son of the late Pifanio and Laura Garnero Zendri. He was a graduate of Freeport High School, Freeport, PA, Class of 1951, Citizen’s General Hospital School of Nursing, New Kensington, PA, and Allegheny Valley Hospital School of Anesthesia, Natrona Heights, PA.
Rudy began his career in anesthesia at Charleroi-Monessen Hospital, Charleroi, PA in 1967. In 1970 he held the Staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist position at the Elk County General Hospital, Ridgway, PA. In 1973 he accepted to position of Chief CRNA and Department Head of Anesthesia Services at Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital, St. Marys Regional Medical Center, Elk County Medical Center, and Elk Regional Health Center until his retirement in 1998.
On May 6, 1967, in the St. Sebastian Church in Belle Vernon, PA, he married Carole E. Dorazio, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Sherri Lynn Zendri and her husband Scott G. Horten of Scottsdale, AZ and Michelle Leigh Zendri of DuBois, PA; two grandchildren, Meghan Aurellia Horten and Sirus James Horten; two sisters, Dolores Zendri and Gloria Zendri, both of Warren, MI; four brothers-in-law, Nick Dorazio, Vic Dorazio, Sid Dorazio, and James Hansotte, all of the Pittsburgh area; two sisters-in-law, Rozanne Dorazio Hansotte and Carolyn D’Augustine Dorazio, both of the Pittsburgh area; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond J. Zendri.
Rudy was a member of the St. Mary’s Church, the American Legion, the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving in the Transportation Battalion during the Korean Conflict and served as Yardmaster at the Korean National Railroad in Pusan, South Korea. While employed at Elk Regional, he was very dedicated to the hospital and thoroughly enjoyed his job and co-workers. He was an avid reader and enjoyed discussing or debating history, science and politics. He enjoyed woodworking, weight training, jogging, boating, skiing, and vacations with his family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Alfred Patterson, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Kittanning, PA.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the St. Mary’s Church, 325 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857; Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857; or to the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 East Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.