Rudolph “Rudy” J. Hanecak III WINDSOR — Rudolph “Rudy” John Hanecak III passed away unexpectedly on April 9, 2020. He was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on April 29, 1975, the son of Rudolph John Hanecak Jr. and Deborah Lynn (Tulip) Hanecak. Rudy lived in and loved Windsor. He survived by his father, Rudolph John Hanecak Jr., Sandwich, Massachusetts; his sister, Stephanie Black, her husband, Devan Black, his niece, Piper, and his nephew Ian of Clearwater, Florida; grandmother, Betty Tulip of White River Junction; aunt, Lois Bromley-Ellison and uncle Roger Ellison of Windsor; aunt, Nancy Hanecak and aunt Joslyn Viens of Cape Cod; his beloved cat, Finnegan; and many more dear aunts, uncles, great Aunts, great Uncles, cousins, and other friends and family members too numerous to name. Rudy is predeceased by his mother, Deborah Lynn (Tulip) Hanecak of Windsor in 2005; Edna (Sheehan) Hanecak and Rudolph John Hanecak Sr of Chicopee, Massachusetts; Lillian (Durden) Dow and Walter Dow of Hartland; and Lawrence Tulip Sr of White River Junction. Rudy went to school in Windsor, graduating from Windsor High School in 1993. He later attended Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting. As a life-long Windsor resident, Rudy experienced Windsor’s economic booms and busts. Rudy actively promoted and was involved in the Town of Windsor throughout his life. He served on the Town of Windsor Select Board from 2004 to 2008, served on the Town of Windsor Budget Committee from 1998 to 2008, and served as a member of original Downtown Designation Committee, Downtown Organization, and Downtown Promotional committees, as well, coordinating Halloween activities for Downtown Promotional Committee for the last five years. Rudy was instrumental in the establishment of the local Public Access Television Station, Windsor on Air, was a founding member and active planner of the Windsor Heritage Days event from 1999 to 2010, was a founding member of the WindsorMt. Ascutney Pow Wow Committee, was a member of the Scouts Salute to Veterans Parade Committee, and even helped “Decorate Windsor for the Holidays” 1998 to 2007. Further, Rudy was a member of the The Windsor Veterans of War Memorial Committee, which brought to Windsor the Veterans Memorial which includes a larger-than-life bronze statue by renowned sculptor Lawrence “Doobie” Nowlan Jr. He also helped to establish a not-for-profit preschool and day care known as the Windsor Early Childhood Education Center and helped to build a skate park for the youth of the community. Rudy was instrumental in the relocation of the Cornish Colony Museum and served on its board of directors from 2004 to 2010 where he held the offices of secretary, assistant treasurer, vice president and interim president during his tenure. Rudy was influential in the reinvigoration of the Windsor Alumni Association, helping to grow the organization, and its events, where he served as president, vice president, and secretary of the board of directors. Additionally, Rudy was an active member and director of the Windsor-Mt. Ascutney Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member, director, and Secretary Pro Tempore of the Greater Mount Ascutney Chamber of Commerce. Rudy additionally contributed to and volunteered for other organizations and causes in the Windsor area too numerous to name. Among his favorite foods were the “Rudy special” pizza from Windsor Pizza Chef, Polish potato bread (similar to Pagash), Pierogi, Blue Seal Kielbasa, and dinner at the Windsor Diner. He was an avid fan of the Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics, and the Chicago Bears. He was a devoted employee who worked hard and was an integral part of the team at One Pull Wire and Cable. In his spare time, in addition to working to better the Town of Windsor, Rudy enjoyed spending time with friends and family. In particular he loved visiting the annual Cornish, New Hampshire, fair, celebrating birthdays (where he was known to sing the “Happy No Birthday” song to all who were present but not having birthdays) and reveling at Christmas time when he loved to spoil his niece and nephew while often making jokes about people demanding Figgy Pudding. Rudy was a wonderful guy with a heart of gold who loved his family and his friends were his family. He loved his small hometown and everyone in it. He worked hard to bring significant improvements to it and make it a place everyone would be proud to live. Rudy was a friend to all. He always made time for others; his generosity and kindness cannot be measured. No one who ever met Rudy will ever forget his strong character, his smile, his sense of humor, his kindness, his generosity, his determination, and his love. A memorial service celebrating Rudy’s life will be held at a later date which is to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rudy’s honor to the Windsor Early Childhood Education Center, the Windsor Veterans Memorial, or any Windsor area charity of your choice. An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.