Rudolph "Rudy" S. Nordman

GARDNER – Rudolph S. “Rudy” Nordman – a local business owner, community leader, standout athlete and dedicated family man – died Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, of complications from pneumonia. He was 84. The son of the late Oscar Nordman and Esther (Berg) Nordman Rasi, Mr. Nordman was born in Gardner on Oct. 18, 1928. He leaves his wife of 47 years, Mary (Phelan) Nordman; a daughter, Catherine Sawicki and her husband George of Millbury; and six sons: Wayne Nordman and his fiancé Denise Coriveau of Florida; Jack Nordman and his wife Julie of Gardner, Kevin Nordman of Baldwinsville, Michael Nordman and his wife Betsy of Sandwich, Dale Nordman and his wife Katie of Worcester, and Dave Nordman and his wife Kristine of Auburn; as well as 19 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, many wonderful friends and his dogs, Maggie Mae and Sweetie. He was predeceased by four siblings: Hebert Nordman, Lilian Difusco, Leonard Nordman and Sherman Nordman. Mr. Nordman overcame polio as a teenager, graduated from Gardner High School in 1947 and owned and operated Nordman Plumbing Co. in Gardner for over 25 years. After his retirement in 1994, he continued to work as the plumbing inspector for Gardner, Templeton, Winchendon and Hubbardston, retiring from Templeton just last year. Mr. Nordman also served as Gardner’s civil defense director for several years, chairman of the Gardner Golf Commission, president of the Gardner Lions Club and president of the Napoleon Club. He was also a member of the Gardner Lodge of Elks, a founder of Gardner’s Club 25 and longtime Little League coach. An avid golfer and New York Yankees fan whose heroes included Arnold Palmer and Mickey Mantle, Mr. Nordman grew up on Gardner’s playgrounds, even serving as a youth instructor during his teens. He then played football and baseball for Gardner High. A four-year member of the varsity baseball team and starting catcher for three seasons, he helped the Wildcats win three Central Mass. championships. After high school, Mr. Nordman became one of the area’s finest softball players of his generation, toiling behind the plate in hundreds of games for the Playland and Napoleon Club teams. As player-manager, he led the 1952 Playland team to a 17-0 record, the only undefeated season in Gardner Softball League history. He also managed the Napoleon Club and Red Onion teams, served as deputy area commissioner for ASA softball in the early 1960s, and helped bring about the modified-pitch brand of softball that was popular in the city for some 30 years. Mr. Nordman enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his trips to Las Vegas, Cape Cod and York Beach, Maine; coffee at the Paramount Café and time on his daughter Cathy’s boat. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. A service will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by burial at Wildwood Cemetery and a celebration of Mr. Nordman’s life at the Napoleon Club on Park Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gardner Animal Shelter, the oncology department at Heywood Hospital or a charity of choice. $(document).ready(function(){ });