Frederick Joseph Luddy

Frederick Joseph Luddy, 84, of Bowie, MD passed away Sunday evening, January 12, 2014. He was a devout member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and attended mass there with his wife and other members of his family. Born February 17, 1929, he was the 7th child of 10 born to William and Esther Luddy. Raised in Altoona, PA, Fred developed a love for the trains and railroad, where his father worked as a machinist and enginehouse foreman. The railroad provided employment after Fred completed high school and began his college studies in industrial engineering. He entered active service with the Air Force in January 1951 and served as a pilot with the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. The 59th was the first line of air defense for the entire east coast of the U.S. He continued to serve with the Air Force Reserves until he was honorably discharged in July 1963. On November 7, 1953, he married Rosaria (Sarah) Motisi, an Air Force Nurse from Madison, WI. Over the next several years, they established their own family of 10 children and relocated between PA, OH, NY and finally MD. They moved to Bowie in January 1963 and Fred continued his federal career, retiring in 1974. Following his retirement, he took up running to improve his health, gardening, and other yard work, including raising grapes to make wine which he generously shared with family and friends. Fred's baby brother, John Luddy, died just a few weeks before him. Of his brothers and sisters, Vince Luddy, Jane Flynn, Peggy Horell, and Essie Anderson are still with us. Fred was also predeceased by his daughter, Rose Marie Bucy. He is survived by his devoted wife of over 60 years, Rosaria (Sarah) Luddy, and their children, Sarah Maloney, Mary Luddy, Frederick Luddy, Helen Bramow, Anthony Luddy, Joseph Luddy, Grace Grigg, Tom Luddy, and Ann Luddy; as well as 16 grandchildren (Chris Durden, JoAnna Pearce, Nick Zanelotti, Stephanie Luddy, Kristy Luddy, Samantha Grigg, Paul Maloney, Sarah Bucy, Jessica Grigg, Joey Luddy, Ryan Maloney, Jaclyn Grigg, James Luddy, Brooke Maloney, Alex Bramow, and Bridgette Bramow) and 4 great-grandchildren (Courtney Rose Smith, Brendan Zanelotti, Edward Grigg, and Dominick Zanelotti).