Celebrating the life of
Michael Edward Ruddy
February 01, 1934 - October 19, 2014
Michael Edward Ruddy of Savannah, GA, died peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Hospice Savannah, surrounded by family, after a long battle with mantle cell lymphoma. His wife, Barbara, was holding his hand and Daniel Hope's Four Seasons was playing in the background. A perfect way for a gentle giant to move forward.
He is survived by his wife of nearly thirty-eight years, Barbara, the love of his life, his three children Kimi Miller, Ian Ruddy and Lisa Wagner and his nine grandchildren Mark, Chris, Jason, Josh, Mara, Eli, James, Joseph and Dominic. Mike was one of six siblings including brothers Patrick and Joe and sisters Mary Lou, Joan and Elizabeth.
Mike was born on February 1, 1934 in Scranton, PA and graduated from Binghamton High School in 1953. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1957 and joined the University's staff as Assistant to Dean Ray Ehrensberger, Chancellor of University of Maryland's University College, where he was responsible for its education programs for US service military abroad for 10 years in Bermuda, Greenland, Germany, Japan and South Korea. He then returned to the University of Maryland where he began the development of budgeting systems and taught economics.
In 1968, Robert S. McNamara, who had been US Secretary of Defense, became President of the World Bank and Mike was recruited as one of the first members of a very small staff responsible for implementing McNamara's programming, planning, budgeting, monitoring and control systems. In this capacity he demonstrated a superb ability to set up a new system for ensuring the implementation of budgetary and policy objectives. This was obviously a complex and difficult task and only somebody of Mike's skills and personality could have ensured its successful roll-out. Later as Program Coordinator for Ernest Stern, Senior Vice President, he spearheaded the development of a computerized management information system--an accomplishment of which he was most proud. Towards the end of his career, Mike was the Director of the Accounting Department where he worked to improve the transparency and accuracy of the accounting processes by leveraging technology.
Mike retired from the World Bank in 1996 and in 1997 joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy where he served as Director of Finance and Treasury for nearly six years. While at FAO, Mike was recruited to play golf for Italy, which took him to a tournament in the Far East, an amusing story often told at parties.
In 2002, Mike and Barbara retired to the Landings where he became a devotee to the game of golf and where they enjoyed a wonderful life filled with good times with great friends and all the cultural activity Savannah has to offer. Mike will be long remembered for his lovely smile, vision, wisdom, sense of humor and thoughtfulness.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. James Catholic Church on Friday, October 31, at 11:00 a.m.
8412 Whitfield Ave., Savannah, GA 31406
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to The Children's Choir, Hospice Savannah, The Savannah Philharmonic, Savannah Music Festival, Second Harvest, or a Savannah charity of your choice.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Savannah, GA
Barbara, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the death of your wonderful husband Mike. His was a life well lived and he will be missed by our comunnity. His deep love for you was very obvious whenever you were together. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Carol Walsh
- Carol and Dan Walsh, Savannah, Ga.
Dear Barbara: Words escape me knowing your pain at the loss of your beloved Mike. He was a wonderful gift to all of us who knew him. The sadness is only mitigated by the joy he created throughout his life. He was my friend and mentor and I offer a heartfelt thank you. Melba Harmon
- Melba Harmon, Kensington, Maryland
Dear Barbara Sending heartfelt condolences. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this time of need. Sincerely, Nancy and Tuffy Tribbitt
- Nancy Tribbitt, Lewes, De
Dear Barbara, Heartfelt sorrow in your loss. You were an engaging and inspiring couple with a wonderful life. As you, too, move forward, you have many friends and great memories to sustain you.
- Pete Peterson, Savannnah, GA
Barbara and the entire Ruddy family, We all feel the loss of Mike, who was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He has left a legacy of goodwill, good works, friends and family. Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with you.
- Ben & Ruth Freiberger, Savannah, GA
Dear loving Barbara. Words fail me. I feel so sad. One never expects that a fiend will ever leave us - especially such a wonderful, joyous and giving person as Michael. My love and prayers are with you now and always. Ginette
- Ginette V. Patch, Washington, D.C.
Barbara, Paul and I send our sincere condolences. Paul will join you in celebrating Mike's life, but as you know I am dealing with my own issues in rehab and will only be with you in spirit on Friday. Lots of love from us both!!
- Peggy and Paul Wise, Savannah, Ga
Barbara Tom and I travel back to Savannah on Sun/Mon so we will join you in celebrating Mike's life on Friday. He was a fighter and a true gentleman. You both were so generous to Savannah. Thank you. We are there for you. Sue and Tom
- Tom and Sue Reilly, Savannah , GA
You couldn't find a more gentle, lovely man than Mike. While we didn't know him in his professional capacity, we knew Mike socially and will miss his warm smile, that twinkle in his eye, and the funny asides he would make to his dinner partners. Barbara has always been the energetic, bubbly counterpoint to Mike's solid, serene presence. We know that Barbara is strong and will survive this terrible loss. We are ready to do whatever we can to help.
- Mary and Marty Vernick, Savannah, GA
In behalf of the Chatham Club Board of Directors and Staff please accept our deepest condolences for your great loss. We will miss seeing his happy face around the Club. Sincerely, Farzad Ruchi
- Farzad Ruchi, Savannah, GA
Barbara...Michael's was a life well-lived and an example to us all of living with quiet dignity and inner brilliance. The world has lost a very special person. Please accept our sincerest condolences.
- Walter and Linda Evans, Savannah, GA
Barbara, Ed and I will feel forever fortunate that we met you and Mike soon after we moved to Savannah. The two of you -- so attractive, worldly, kind, funny, generous -- graciously welcomed us. As we got to know Mike through many shared music events, dinners, golf and other good times, we discovered a man who was just as modest as he was talented, and a perfect partner for dynamic Barbara. Our condolences go also to Mike's lovely daughter, Lisa Wagner, and the rest of his family. Please know that you have many friends who love you and are here for you, Barbara.
- Joyce and Ed Conant, Savannah, GA
Barbara, our deepest condolences to you and your family. You and Michael were a couple we admired and respected. Michael was always such a kind and positive man, and your dignity throughout his many health issues is memorable. No wonder you were the love of his life. May our sympathy and loving thoughts help you through this difficult time. Inge and Mark
- Mark and Inge Moore, Savannah, GA
Barbara, we are thinking of you. It sounds like you were able to provide such a beautiful passage to Michael, in love and comfort, with music and family, a peaceful end to a wonderful life. He will be missed and his gifts will live on.
- Christine Sajecki, Baltimore, MD
Barbara, I'm thinking of you and your family, and wishing you moments of peace and comfort! Michael will truly be missed!
- Emily (Rich) Dover, Savannah, GA
Barbara, My deepest sympathy on your loss. What a beautiful couple you two were and always will be to me. Miriam Center
- Miriam Center, Savannah, Georgia
Our condolences to the family. We thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Mr. Ruddy's final journey. May you find peace and comfort in your memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and we remain available to help in anyway during your bereavement.
- Debra Anthony Larson, Hospice Savannah, Inc., Savannah, GA
I read with interest the passing of Mr Ruddy. i am wondering if he is from the same family in Scranton on Pleasant ave as i am also. Back in the 40's, his father would have been the Chief of Police for the city of Scranton. Very sorry for your loss. I am a member of St Peters here on Wilmington Island and will include him in my prayers.
- Joseph E. Warenzak, Savannah, Ga
Barbara -we are thinking of you since we heard the news.Mike was a wonderful husband, father and a great fiend of so many. He always had a "hello" and smile for us. Love, Bob and Jean
- Faircloth, New London, NH
My condolences to the family during this time of bereavement. As I think about the sting of death,my thoughts go back to Gods promise at Revelation 21:3,4 where death, pain, sorrow and outcry will be done away with and usher in a time of hope by means of the resurrection as promised by our Savior Jesus Christ. My you be encouraged by this thought.
- Henry, lawrenceville, GA
Barbara, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the death of your wonderful husband Mike. His was a life well lived and he will be missed by our comunnity. His deep love for you was very obvious whenever you were together. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Carol Walsh
- Carol and Dan Walsh, Savannah, Ga.
Dear Barbara: Words escape me knowing your pain at the loss of your beloved Mike. He was a wonderful gift to all of us who knew him. The sadness is only mitigated by the joy he created throughout his life. He was my friend and mentor and I offer a heartfelt thank you. Melba Harmon
- Melba Harmon, Kensington, Maryland
Dear Barbara Sending heartfelt condolences. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this time of need. Sincerely, Nancy and Tuffy Tribbitt
- Nancy Tribbitt, Lewes, De
Dear Barbara, Heartfelt sorrow in your loss. You were an engaging and inspiring couple with a wonderful life. As you, too, move forward, you have many friends and great memories to sustain you.
- Pete Peterson, Savannnah, GA
Barbara and the entire Ruddy family, We all feel the loss of Mike, who was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He has left a legacy of goodwill, good works, friends and family. Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with you.
- Ben & Ruth Freiberger, Savannah, GA
Dear loving Barbara. Words fail me. I feel so sad. One never expects that a fiend will ever leave us - especially such a wonderful, joyous and giving person as Michael. My love and prayers are with you now and always. Ginette
- Ginette V. Patch, Washington, D.C.
Barbara, Paul and I send our sincere condolences. Paul will join you in celebrating Mike's life, but as you know I am dealing with my own issues in rehab and will only be with you in spirit on Friday. Lots of love from us both!!
- Peggy and Paul Wise, Savannah, Ga
Barbara Tom and I travel back to Savannah on Sun/Mon so we will join you in celebrating Mike's life on Friday. He was a fighter and a true gentleman. You both were so generous to Savannah. Thank you. We are there for you. Sue and Tom
- Tom and Sue Reilly, Savannah , GA
You couldn't find a more gentle, lovely man than Mike. While we didn't know him in his professional capacity, we knew Mike socially and will miss his warm smile, that twinkle in his eye, and the funny asides he would make to his dinner partners. Barbara has always been the energetic, bubbly counterpoint to Mike's solid, serene presence. We know that Barbara is strong and will survive this terrible loss. We are ready to do whatever we can to help.
- Mary and Marty Vernick, Savannah, GA
In behalf of the Chatham Club Board of Directors and Staff please accept our deepest condolences for your great loss. We will miss seeing his happy face around the Club. Sincerely, Farzad Ruchi
- Farzad Ruchi, Savannah, GA
Barbara...Michael's was a life well-lived and an example to us all of living with quiet dignity and inner brilliance. The world has lost a very special person. Please accept our sincerest condolences.
- Walter and Linda Evans, Savannah, GA
Barbara, Ed and I will feel forever fortunate that we met you and Mike soon after we moved to Savannah. The two of you -- so attractive, worldly, kind, funny, generous -- graciously welcomed us. As we got to know Mike through many shared music events, dinners, golf and other good times, we discovered a man who was just as modest as he was talented, and a perfect partner for dynamic Barbara. Our condolences go also to Mike's lovely daughter, Lisa Wagner, and the rest of his family. Please know that you have many friends who love you and are here for you, Barbara.
- Joyce and Ed Conant, Savannah, GA
Barbara, our deepest condolences to you and your family. You and Michael were a couple we admired and respected. Michael was always such a kind and positive man, and your dignity throughout his many health issues is memorable. No wonder you were the love of his life. May our sympathy and loving thoughts help you through this difficult time. Inge and Mark
- Mark and Inge Moore, Savannah, GA
Barbara, we are thinking of you. It sounds like you were able to provide such a beautiful passage to Michael, in love and comfort, with music and family, a peaceful end to a wonderful life. He will be missed and his gifts will live on.
- Christine Sajecki, Baltimore, MD
Barbara, I'm thinking of you and your family, and wishing you moments of peace and comfort! Michael will truly be missed!
- Emily (Rich) Dover, Savannah, GA
Barbara, My deepest sympathy on your loss. What a beautiful couple you two were and always will be to me. Miriam Center
- Miriam Center, Savannah, Georgia
Our condolences to the family. We thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Mr. Ruddy's final journey. May you find peace and comfort in your memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and we remain available to help in anyway during your bereavement.
- Debra Anthony Larson, Hospice Savannah, Inc., Savannah, GA
I read with interest the passing of Mr Ruddy. i am wondering if he is from the same family in Scranton on Pleasant ave as i am also. Back in the 40's, his father would have been the Chief of Police for the city of Scranton. Very sorry for your loss. I am a member of St Peters here on Wilmington Island and will include him in my prayers.
- Joseph E. Warenzak, Savannah, Ga
Barbara -we are thinking of you since we heard the news.Mike was a wonderful husband, father and a great fiend of so many. He always had a "hello" and smile for us. Love, Bob and Jean
- Faircloth, New London, NH
My condolences to the family during this time of bereavement. As I think about the sting of death,my thoughts go back to Gods promise at Revelation 21:3,4 where death, pain, sorrow and outcry will be done away with and usher in a time of hope by means of the resurrection as promised by our Savior Jesus Christ. My you be encouraged by this thought.
- Henry, lawrenceville, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
