Vultures swoop through ‘Pizza Man’ home after he passed away

After former Fairmont “The Pizza Man” owner Joe Rudy passed away July 12, vultures swept in and grabbed nearly everything in his house where he lived with his mother and son, 11.

Cindy Clara Gordon Shanford wrote:

“My cousin, Joe Rudy, of Fairmont WV passed away on July 12, 2017. Before he was even cremated you so-called friends stole his property.

“Please return the items you removed from his house that belonged to him, his elderly mother and 11-year-old son. Place all the items: wallet, cellphone, tools, games, TVs, iPads, furniture, ladders, etc. on his front porch. Thank you.”

The Facebook post created a lot of outrage, of course. Thieves routinely check obituary notices to see when homes are likely to be vacant (during funeral services, for example) and thus easy to rob.

Joe Rudy was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. His family included children Sarah Rudy of Philadelphia, Nicole Rudy of Cornelius, North Carolina, Peyton Fritts of Fairmont and Tyler Dawson of Elkins, his sister Sheree Evans of Scottsdale, Pennsylvania and his late brother, Mike Rudy.

Harbert Funeral Home in Salem, West Virginia handled Joe’s arrangement.

Joe's obituary:

Joseph Edward Rudy
(February 15, 1960 - July 12, 2017)

Joseph Edward Rudy, 57 of Fairmont departed this life on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown. He was born on February 15, 1960 in Jeannette, PA a son of Catherine Exton Rudy, Jeannette, PA and the late Joseph Rudy.

Surviving are two daughters, Sarah Rudy, Philadelphia, PA, Nicole Rudy, Cornelius, NC, two sons, Peyton Fritts, Fairmont, Tyler Dawson, Elkins, one sister, Sheree Evans, Scottdale, PA. He was preceded in death by one brother, Mike Rudy.

Mr. Rudy was the former owner of "The Pizza Man", Bridgeport/Fairmont. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a loving father to his son Peyton and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

At his request he was cremated. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Harbert Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Rudy family.