Rudolph Sosa

Rudolph “Rudy” Sosa, 79, of Gardner, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a short illness.

Born in Gary, Indiana, on January 8, 1945, he was the son of the late Vincent and Rita (Flores) Sosa. He graduated from River Forest High School with the Class of 1964 and enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Rudy settled in Gardner, MA, where he married and started a family. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Assumption College in Worcester.

Rudy enjoyed working and the camaraderie of his co-workers. Over the years, he worked for several companies in various capacities, including Digital Equipment Corporation, Golden Grains, Teleflex Medical, Smith Medical, and ICU, until his retirement a few years ago.

Rudy loved watching basketball, tending to his flower garden, taking walks, and feeding the birds. He enjoyed road trips to good restaurants, casual photography, and attending musicals on Broadway, in Boston, and at community theaters.

Rudy's pride was his family, and he was their biggest supporter throughout the years, treasuring all the special memories.

Rudolph is survived by his son, Vincent E. Sosa (Nicole) of Auburn, his daughter, Natalie de Gruyl-Burns (Daniel) of Longmeadow; and son Jonathan R. Sosa of Worcester; grandchildren, Morgan Bezio, Cody Sosa and Bran de Gruyl; siblings, Manuel Fonseca, Harry Sosa (Elena), Stella Sosa-Brown and Victoria Mayol (George Sioson), all of Indiana; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 20 years, Louise C. (Manseau) Sosa, who died in 1990; son, Mark A. Sosa; brothers, Thomas Agullar, Victor Agullar, Ralph Sosa, Robert Sosa, and Richard Sosa; and sisters, Jenny Lopez, Rachel Roop, and Theresa Coleman.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. The family requests that you "come as you are" as Rudy would not have wanted it any other way. Burial at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505, or on their website at (www.nebg.org). Please reference in memory of Rudolph Sosa.