Rudolph Joseph Antonini Obituary – The Record

Born Rudolph Joseph Antonini on May 13, 1927 to Virgilio and Rose Antonini, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday March 31, 2024 at the age of 96 with his loving family at his side. He attended Waverly and Agnes Elementary Schools and Graduated from St Mary’s High School.

Known by most as “Rudy”, he worked in his younger years at The Green Frog grocery store before coming to work at the family trucking business. His father passed away in 1951 just before Rudy was drafted into the service. He was in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and served most of it stationed in Germany as a heavy truck driver and dispatcher in the 67th Transport Co. After his honorable discharge, he went back to work in the family business joining his two older brothers, Louis and Jack.

Rudy met Beverly, “Bev”, in 1955 while visiting his sister, Anita, in San Diego, where the two ladies were in training for their lab technician certificates and it wasn’t long before Rudy and Bev were married later that that year in November.

They started a family and after both of Rudy’s brothers passed away, he was the only Antonini son left to run the trucking operation.

Rudy often said he didn’t love the “trucking” business, however, strong core values kept him and the company resilient over the years.

When it was time for his sons to enter the business and eventually take over, Rudy slowly pulled back from control of the daily operations knowing the company was in good hands and he was ready to enjoy retirement with Bev. Retirement didn’t come easy – Rudy drove to the office daily for many years, delivering the mail, visiting with his kids and other employees, and taking an occasional nap.

Rudy enjoyed attending “Indy” style car races with his son Mark and longtime friends John Sutton and John Setchel. He also enjoyed golfing, having morning coffee and chats with his buddies at Gian’s Deli, picking up the grandkids from school and taking them for special treats. He enjoyed his vacations with family in Aptos, traveling with Beverly, making many trips over multiple decades to visit relatives in Chiavari, Italy.

Family was a focal point for Rudy and Bev, getting together for weekly dinners and gatherings for holidays and birthdays was an important part of Rudy and his heritage.

After Bev’s passing, Rudy met Mary, who helped Rudy continue to enjoy life throughout his final years.

Rudy was an original member and shareholder of West Lane Bowl, founded in 1960, along with his brother Jack and many other friends and associates.

Also, Rudy was a longtime standing member of the Knights of Columbus, Italian Athletic Club, Liguri Nel Mondo, Pacific Italian Alliance, the Italian Bersaglieri, Waterloo G&B Club and had just became the longest living member of the Stockton Lodge #218 of the BPOE (Elks) with 70 years membership as of 2024.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Beverly, his father and mother, Virgilio and Rose Antonini and his two brothers Louis and Jack Antonini.

Rudy is survived by his recent wife Mary (m-2023), his two sisters Anita Kroll (Virgil) and Dorothy Doscher, daughter Karen Wuellner (Andy), sons Joseph Antonini (Jill) and Mark Antonini (gf-Susana), Grandchildren Jennifer Turner (Kaleb), Elizabeth Wuellner, Donald Wuellner, Stefano Antonini, Keaton Antonini, Jordan Antonini, Paul Antonini and many nieces and nephews. In addition to family in the U.S., he leaves behind many family members in Italy, where his father had immigrated from in the early 1900’s, including his only remaining cousin there, Rudi Antonini and again many nieces and nephews in Chiavari and the surrounding Ligurian Region.

Visitation will be Thursday 4/11/24, at 4:00pm with Rosary following at 6:00pm and funeral services will be on Friday 4/12/24, at 10:00am – with all services held at Casa Bonita Funeral Home, 2500 Cemetary Lane in Stockton, CA. Committal Service will follow at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetary Mausoleum

Immediately following funeral. All are invited to a luncheon at the home of Joe & Jill Antonini at 4453 Yacht Harbor Dr., Stockton, CA 95204

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Memory of Rudy to American Cancer Society, 207 E. Alpine Ave., Stockton, CA 95204, Animal Protection League, PO Box 691912, Stockton, CA 95269, Animal Friends Connection Humane Society, 933 S. Cherokee Lane, Lodi, CA 95240, or any charitable animal shelter of your choice.