Lake George - Rudolph E. "Rudy" Cragnolin, 98, passed away on April 3, 2025 at Saratoga Hospital. He was born on October 5, 1926 in Coral Gables, Florida he was the son of the late Louis and Emma Cragnolin of Utica, New York. Rudy grew up in Utica, NY graduating from T.R. Proctor High School in Utica and from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Being a gifted athlete, he played varsity basketball and baseball at both the high school and college level. He maintained his interest in basketball after college becoming a certified official, for high schools and colleges, in the Schenectady and surrounding areas.

Rudy was a veteran of World War 2, serving in the US Navy with assignments at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Gulfport, MS and Little Creek, VA. He worked for the General Electric Co. his entire career, with marketing assignments in Schenectady, NY, Salem, VA and Oakbrook, IL. He retired in 1988 and moved to Lake George in 1993.

Rudy was an active Lutheran Church member throughout his life, serving in many leadership positions in Scotia NY (1950-74), Roanoke, VA (1974-81), Naperville, IL (1984-93) and South Glens Falls (1993-2025). He particularly enjoyed working in outreach ministry projects, giving him great pleasure providing service to others. While in the Schenectady area, he was a member and past president of the Scotia, NY Rotary Club.

In retirement Rudy enjoyed golf, trout fishing, walking, crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader. He and his wife especially enjoyed a break in the winter, with vacations in Surfside Beach, SC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley, in 1964 and second wife, Rita, in 2021.

Left to cherish his memory are daughter, Donna (Don) Cooper of Saratoga Springs; son, Dan (Deb) Cragnolin of Milford, OH; daughter, Kathleen (Douglas) Jacobs of Hardy, VA; daughter, Kelly (Scott) Hatzer of Joliet, IL; as well as 9 grandchildren, Dustin (Nina) Cooper, Dylan (Cheryl) Cooper, Lindsay (Michael) Speranza, Kim (Justin) Solomon, Matt (Katie) Cragnolin, Lauren Jacobs, Brianna Rechichar, Alyssa Billyard, Zachary (Brittany) Billyard and 19 great-grandchildren.

Relatives and Friends may call from 3-5 PM on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at the William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home at 5pm following calling hours.

Burial with military honors will take place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 12noon at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may consider a memorial contribution to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 600 Gansevoort Rd., South Glens Falls 12803 or Double H Ranch, 97 Hidden Valley Rd., Lake Luzerne, NY 12846-3318.