Joseph C. Ruddy, Jr.

Joseph Cornelius Ruddy, Jr., age 80, died on October 19, 2024. Joe was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Cheverly, Maryland. There he and his wife Joanne resided for over 55 years and raised their eleven (11) children. A graduate of St. John’s College High School, he received his B.S. from Georgetown University and a M.A. from George Washington University. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University School of Law. While at law school, he taught at Federal City College (UDC). He started a small general law practice in Hyattsville, Maryland after law school that served clients for more than fifty (50) years. 

Joseph is survived by his wife Joanne C. Ruddy, and ten of their children: Catherine Rehkemper (Andrew), Elizabeth Hatch (Austin), Joseph III, John (Deborah), Rosemarie Timmermann (John), Bridgid Hartman (Timothy), Paul, Theresa, Joanne, and William; as well as twenty-four grandchildren. Joseph is preceded in death by his son James, daughter-in-law Megan and his parents, Joseph Sr. and Catherine Ruddy. 

Joseph is also survived by twenty-four grandchildren who affectionately call him “Chief”: Elizabeth, Amelia, and Mary Catherine Rehkemper; Kiley Lawrence (James); John Austin, Samuel, Beatrice, Flannery, Ezekiel, and Nathaniel Hatch; Joseph IV, Jacob, Matthew and Emily Ruddy; Ashley and Nicholas Ruddy; John IV, Annabelle, Madeleine, and Patrick Timmermann; Kiersten, William, Ryan, and Erin Hartman

A dedicated son, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather, Joseph was a lover of sports, running and biking. He was a loyal and dedicated fan of the Washington Redskins, Georgetown Hoyas Men’s Basketball Team, and Notre Dame Football.

Joseph spent many summers with his family in Ocean City, New Jersey, where he worked as a pin boy, a cook at Voltaco’s Italian Foods, a lifeguard for the Ocean City New Jersey Beach Patrol, and a summer police officer for the Ocean City New Jersey Police Department.

Joseph dedicated nearly 50 years serving as a coach, Athletic Director or Board Member for the Cheverly Boys and Girls Club. He dedicated innumerable hours to the development and operation of intramural leagues, which provided every interested child the opportunity to participate. 

He was known as the Head Coach of the “Ruddy Red Team” in the 9 and Under Basketball League, whose games attracted capacity crowds and their opponent’s best effort. He taught his players the fundamentals of basketball and good sportsmanship with a sense of humor and positivity that helped each child develop skills and confidence, while always finding a way for every child on his team to contribute. 

Joseph was also a longtime member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Cheverly, Maryland where he served on the Parish Council and where he and his wife were moderators of the Teen Club. Later in life, they served as Eucharistic Ministers at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Hyattsville, Maryland and served the residents of Independence Court, an assisted living home. 

A loving father and husband, Joseph dedicated his life to his family. A loyal friend and fierce competitor in sports and the law, Joseph believed in justice and practicing fairness in all ways of life. 

Family and friends may offer condolences at Beall Funeral Home in Bowie, Maryland on October 28, 2024, from 5:00 -7:00 pm. On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at St. Ambrose Church in Cheverly, Maryland there will be a viewing from 10:00 -11:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cheverly Boys and Girls Club in honor of Joseph. Donations can be mailed to the Cheverly Boys and Girls Club, 2907 Hillside Avenue Cheverly, Maryland 20785.

Donations may also be made to Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 6301 Jason Street, Cheverly, Maryland 20785.