Rudy Robert Chelednik

Rudy Robert Chelednik, 90, of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Thursday, July 3, 2025. He was the loving husband of Roseann (Ponger) Chelednik.

Mr. Chelednik was born in Clymer, PA on September 13, 1934; a son of the late Joseph and Kathryn (Gaul) Chelednik. He grew up in Iselin, (Indiana) Pennsylvania. In high school he was a 3-letter athlete, captain of his basketball team, pole vaulter and football player. 

After graduating high school, Mr. Chelednik enlisted in the US Army, he completed basic training at Fort Knox, KY as infantry rifleman at 18 . He remained in the United States Army after the Korean War ended and participated on an Army football team. He received an honorable discharge at the rank of Corporal in April 1955.

He married his wife Roseann, they raised three children Michael, Joseph, and Linda. In 1962 they bought a home on Ramapoo Road and lived there til 2014, when they moved across town to Woodstone Road.

A resident of Ridgefield for over 60 years, Mr. Chelednik coached little league, Pop Warner Football, and was the President of Pop Warner Football in 1975. After retiring from Elinco, he worked at Saxe Middle School and served as an assistant football coach for the New Canaan High School Freshman team. As a retired inspector of electrical motors at ELINCO Corp., Mr. Chelednik enjoyed tinkering in his garage and fixing household items. He was a fan of the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the UCONN Huskies Women’s Basketball team. He was a parishioner of Saint Mary’s Church, and a weekly volunteer at the Adoration Chapel for 20 years. 

He loved gardening and those large family diners on Thanksgiving and Christmas with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mr. Chelednik is survived by his wife of 67 years, Roseann, and their children: Joseph Chelednik and his wife, Dena and Linda Margiotta and her husband, Tom. Mr. Chelednik is also survived by his grandchildren: Dylan, Jesse , Jacqueline, Derek and Alex Chelednik and Teresa and Chance Montanari; his great grandchildren: Otto Chelednik and Telos Kamens; and his siblings: George Chelednik, Helen Bertalovitz, and Margie Schoonmaker as well as many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Chelednik was predeceased by his son, Michael Chelednik, his grandson Rudy Chelednik, his brothers: Joseph, John, Edward, Frank, James, Robert, and Richard.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street; Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment with US Army funeral honors will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Ridgefield.

Contributions in Mr. Chelednik’s memory may be made to St Mary’s Church - 55 Catoonah Street; Ridgefield, CT 06877 or online at http://www.smcr.org

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