Rodolfo Altobelli

AGAWAM – Rodolfo “Rudy” Altobelli passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 8th, 2015 at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home. He was born April 27, 1930 in Framingham, MA. He was the oldest of four children of the late Carmen and Gioconda (Bartara) Altobelli.

Rudy graduated from West Springfield High School where he played hockey, baseball and football and was voted “class athlete.” He then graduated from American International College and went on to receive his Master’s Degree at Springfield College. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served from 1953-1955 at Ford Leonard Wood, MO. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Agawam where he also taught CCD for many years. He was a most loved teacher at Agawam High School from 1957 to 1987. During his years at Agawam High School, he organized the school’s first hockey and tennis teams. After retiring as a teacher, he was later appointed Treasurer and Collector for the City of Agawam for 10 years.

His passions included tennis and politics, both at the local and national level. His most significant awards were winning the Gold Medal in tennis at the National Senior Games in Baton Rouge, LA, Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Democratic Town Committee, Official Citation from the State of Massachusetts and the notable honor of having the Agawam High School Tennis Courts named after him. He was a former member of various organizations, including the Dante Club, the Deadline Gang of Memorial Avenue of West Springfield, the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, UNICO and the Democratic Town Committee. He was appointed by Former Governor Michael Dukakis – Board of Trustees (Director) at STCC, a former Adjunct Professor – STCC; he was a former member and first President of Agawam Retired Employees Association; Member – Hampden County Retirement Board; former member Massachusetts Teachers Association; March of Dimes Volunteer; Special Olympics Volunteer Tennis Instructor; Board of Directors for the Springfield Tennis Club and a member of the Forest Park Tennis Club.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margaret Altobelli. He also leaves four children: Christine (and Roger) Sircar of Agawam, Kathleen (and Anthony) Cortese of Suffield, CT, Robert (and Kim) Altobelli of Clifton Park, NY and Nancy Altobelli of Agawam. He also leaves his sister, Florence Lozza of West Springfield. He is predeceased by his sister Eileen Bronner of Agawam and brother, and best friend, Aldo Altobelli of West Springfield. He leaves 8 grandchildren: Roger (Sircar) Altobelli, Nicholas Sircar, Mia, Michael and Joseph Cortese and Dylan, Ariana and Brady Altobelli as well as many nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held for Rudy at St. John the Evangelist Church in Agawam on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Private burial with military honors will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 in honor of their outstanding care and dedication to Rudy over the last 5 years. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield MA has been entrusted with the arrangements.

We invite you to send a message of condolence to the Altobelli family at www.nefcc.net