Rudy Krizan 1948-2015

 

Rudy Krizan was known for his great disposition, delightful smile, athletic success and towering physical stature. Rudy grew up in Bayside, Queens where he attended and graduated from St. Robert Bellarmine School. He and several other St. Robert’s graduates went onto attend Holy Cross High School.

 

While at Holy Cross, Rudy excelled both in academics and athletics. His success began almost immediately making the football team as a freshman while taking on several student leadership roles.  Rudy’s success continued throughout his four years at Holy Cross. His friends and peers fondly knew him as “Rude the Dude” a straight A student who ran track, could dunk a basketball and spent many hours at the gym building his body long before weight training and cross-fit became popular.

 

Unfortunately, Rudy was injured his senior year and missed much of the '65 Championship Season yet he was there everyday bringing his support and leadership to his teammates. His engaging smile and wonderful disposition never let his disappointment in being injured show among his friends and teammates.

 

Rudy was a senior leader and student council representative throughout his fours years. He earned academic honors and went onto Manhattan College and graduated in 1970 with an engineering degree. While at Manhattan College he played football under the famous Coach Larry Kelly who previously coached at Holy Cross.

 

Over the past 50 years Rudy supported and played in several of the golf outings sponsored by the school and he would often be spotted enjoying many basketball games. Rudy returned to Holy Cross on October 10, 2015 to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the '65 City Championship Football Team! It is no surprise that Rudy successfully battled cancer for 2 years and was given a "cancer free" diagnosis in July of 2015, allowing him to return to many of the things he loved to do.

 

Suddenly and sadly we lost Rudy who succumbed to a heart attack while on a golf trip in Florida on October 23, 2015. Rudy lived his life to the fullest and touched those who knew and loved him. He exemplified the attributes of a Holy Cross man in his actions and his deeds. He was one-of-a-kind and is truly missed by family and friends!

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© Frank Orzo