Rudolph John Antonio (Rudy) of Northfield, New Jersey passed away at Shore Medical Center on August 16, 2015 at the age of 89. He was born January 12, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Cape May, New Jersey where he graduated from Cape May High School in 1942. His father Arcenio and his mother Vasiliky predeceased him.

Rudy is survived by his loving wife Fernanda (Jennie) Antonio who he was married to for 59 years. He is lovingly remembered by his son Rudolph M. Antonio from New York City and daughter Julia Ann Antonio from Northfield.

Rudy was a member of the “Greatest Generation” having served in the Navy during WWII in both the European and Asian theatres of war and in the liberation of the Philippines as a radioman on the U.S.S. Dorothea L. Dix. He was honorably discharged on November 16, 1947 and was awarded several stars and medals for his service. He was recognized by the State of NJ with a “Distinguished Service Medal” citation for distinguished and meritorious service in sea combat during World War II.

After the war, Rudy worked as a Radio Operator with Eastern Airlines. Soon after he trained and worked as an Air Traffic Controller at LaGuardia Airport and later moved to South Jersey and, in 1961, began working as an Air Traffic Controller within the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC).

After retiring from federal service, he worked for one year as a Black Jack Dealer as part of the launch of casino gambling at Resort’s International and the Trump Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

Rudy enjoyed and excelled at the game of tennis. He was a well-known tennis pro in South Jersey and shared his love for the game with young adults and the young at heart. He was a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and participated in numerous tennis tournaments both nationally and internationally. He was an avid competitor. In 2007 he was nationally ranked 19th for the men’s 80’s singles division for USTA.

Rudy won the USPTA National championship in 1993 in Boca Raton, Fl.
From 2000 to 2014 Rudy and his family lived a snowbird’s life in of Estero, FL and he played in the Florida senior tennis circuit.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday Aug. 18, 2015 at the Atlantic County Veteran’s Cemetery in Mays Landing, New Jersey on August 18, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. Condolences to the family may be offered at www.Adams-Perfect.com.