Westmount
It is with great sorrow that we, the family, announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather at the MacGillivray Guest Home on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, with family at his side.
Born in Sydney on January 21, 1934, Rowe was the youngest son to the late Gordon and Dorothy (Cameron) Rudderham.
Rowe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sally (MacMullin); daughters, Rowena Marie (Terrance) Scanlan, and Glenda Catherine (Richard) LeLievre; sons, Brent (Flora), Stewart, and Derek; sisters-in-law, Dawn Rudderham, Delores (Kevin) McIntyre, Danette (Guy) Chapados, and Lori (Brian) MacMullin; brothers-in-law, Joe (Sandra) MacMullin, Sandy MacMullin, Frank (Janet) MacMullin, and Donald MacEachern; grandchildren, Ryan Rudderham, Liam (Karen) Scanlan, Nevin (Crystal) Scanlan, Amber (Jeff) MacLeod, James (Jenna) Beaton, and Laura Rudderham; great-grandchildren, Cayden, Carson, Carter, Magnus, Teddy, Sydney, Parker, Allie Mae, and Ayla; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Rowe was predeceased by grandson, Tyler Rudderham; brothers, Sam, Jerry, Bob; sister, Anna Taylor; brothers-in-law, Jimmy MacMullin, Al Taylor and sisters-in-law, Betty Rudderham and Mary MacEachern.
Rowe worked at Cape Breton Dairy, which later became Scotsburn Dairy, retiring in 1996.
Rowe and his family would spend their summers in Beaver Cove, where Rowe would take his yearly swim in the beautiful Bras’dor lakes and strolls to the falls to feed the fish. He loved picking blueberries, playing cards at the Boisdale Fire Hall. He ran card games for years at the Point Edward Hall, Westmount Fire Hall and Harbourside Seniors. Rowe was very community minded and a dedicated member to the Westmount Fire Hall for 35 years, serving as treasurer in his last years. Rowe received the Governor General medal in 1990 by Adrian Clarkson for community service. He was inducted into the Cape Breton Sport Heritage Hall of Fame in 2002 and was chosen Citizen of the Year in 1988. He also belonged to the Sydney Writers Circle.
Rowe’s true passion was pitching softball. He played competitively for five decades. He pitched with teams that won six Cape Breton Island championships and teams that won two Nova Scotia provincial championships. Rowe’s personal best pitch game “in his own mine” was in the 1960 when he pitched 15 straight innings against Halifax, (6 extra) and lost 1-0 on a bunt in the 15th inning for the Nova Scotia Provincial Championship. Softball was great entertainment and drew large crowds and fans back in the day. Rowe would always remind Sally to have an early supper on game day.
We would like to thank Cape Breton County Home Makers Agency, the staff at Rankin Road, MacGillivray Guest Home, Dr. Margaret Fraser and special thanks to Auntie Delores, for keeping our spirits up.
There will be no visitation, service, or burial for the late Rowe Rudderham at this time, he was donated to the Dalhousie Genetic study for research. Later cremation will take place and there will be a celebration of life in the summer when his family can get together.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
His good character
and the kindness of his heart
won the affection of his loved ones.
He was loved by all.
Online Condolences
Sincerely sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace.
From: Gerald & Sandra O’Handley
To Sally and Family Very Saddened to Hear of your Great Loss .Rowe was One of the Finest Most Decent Men I had the Pleasure of Knowing. To try and sum up Rowe and what he meant to me Personally and his Community would be next to Impossible. One of a Kind. He made a Lasting Impression on so many People including Myself. In Regards to his Athletic Abilities He Was and Always will be Remembered as A Legend. May He Rest in Peace
From: Earl Rudderham
Dear Sally & Family, was so very sorry to hear of Rowes’ death. He was a good man, & contributed so much to his community. May he rest in peace.🙏❤
From: Andree Hearn
Sincere sympathy Sally Glenda and families at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
From: Jim and Carol Anthony Manson
Our sincerest condolences
From: Eric and Theresa Coste
Very sorry to hear of your loss. I have many childhood memories of playing with Derek and hanging out at the Rudderhams…and some treats when Rowe was driving the dairy truck.
From: Troy MacArthur
Sorry to hear of the passing of a life long friend and fellow baseball player. My sympathies to Sally and family thinking of you in this sad time. From: Willard Williams
I just got flashbacks from my childhood growing up in Westmount. Daily visits from milkman Rowe.
The actually glass bottles. Can’t imagine the strength he needed for those constant moving heavy
crates. Always friendly. I went to school with Glenda. Truly sorry for your loss. Former MacDonald
From: Tena Krajcovic ( MacDonald)
Sally & family,
So sorry to hear about Rowe. Nothing but fond memories of being neighbours. Memories of you and Rowe taking Billy & myself to the hockey games to watch Rowe play at the old Sydney Forum. Sending sincere condolences to you and your family.
From: Raymond Kawecki
It is with deep sympathy that I hear about your husband, father and grandfather.
As a young man growing up in Westmount on Folton Avenue, I had the pleasure of watching him pitch for the Westmount Royals many of nights. He was by far one of the best I had ever seen. He was also our milkman for many years. He was truly a fine gentleman in all aspects of life.
I wish you, the family, all the best.
From: Tim Bryn
My deepest condolences to Sally and family on the passing of your Husband and Father. Row was a dedicated community worker and could accomplish a lot in his own quiet way. He will certainly be missed by many in Point Edward and Westmount. May He Rest IN Peace. Hugs to you all.
From: Judy Mac Arthur and Family
Dear Sally and family, Please accept our condolences on the passing of Thomas. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
From: Joe T. MacNeil and Family.
I would like to offer my condolences to Sally and all of Rose’s family.
From: Georgina MacDonald
Mrs. Rudderham, Izzy, Glenda and the rest of your family, I am sending hugs and prayers to you all at this most difficult time, you are all in my thoughts and prayers, my deepest condolences. 🙏 ❤
From: Margie Martin
I watched Rowe Rudderham pitch softball as a twelve year old spectator. He played for the Point Edward Cubs. This was back in the day, the 1950s when 6 families made up the team: Lewis, Fraser, Williams, Rudderham, Grant, Hill. Rowe was about 19 when he pitched a ‘softball’ no-hitter. Unheard of then and now. Even the Halifax Herald reported it. Years later, as a player myself, I faced Rowe many times. I can picture him now, big shoulders, and a big right arm…a cannon! His wind-up was deceptive. The slow roll of his shoulders, a slow start of his right arm…the release, seemingly at his ankles…low…as in LOW. He’s 50 feet away, and even a modest pitch gives the batter about a half second to see, judge, and swing at the spinning ball. Rowe’s pitch appeared quickly, a rising pitch with…it was just fast…real fast. I got my share of hits but, mostly struck out, swinging madly at a pitch that was sometimes over my head. Rowe and I met on and off in the sixty-plus years since then…mostly at funerals of our relatives.
From: Roland MacInnis
I remember going to Westmount to ball games to watch Rowe Rudderham pitch. Man could he pitch. So sorry for your loss.
From: Dannie
So sorry to hear about Rowe, he was a kind and gentle man. For many years we played cards together.
Stan & Judy Voutier
From: Karen M. Voutier
He was one of the best person I ever worked with, he was a great guy.my condolences to his wife and family.
From: Dennis Tobin
I remember a role as our milkman delivering our milk no matter the weather. He was always pleasant and patient. My condolences to your family, from Marion, formerly of Ingraham’s lane.
From: Marion Lewis
Sincere sympathy to the family . Our thoughts and prayers are you all at this sad time.
From: Jim & Carol Manson
My thoughts and prayers are with sally and all… with the passing of husband and father. I am thankful for the fond memories of my uncle and the milk man that drove me all summer to my first job prior to nursing school. I will not forget his sense of humour, kindness and devotion to his family.
Our sincere condolences to Sally and family! Rowe was a wonderful man and father. He was so dedicated to his family. Loved teaching his children!
Hugs
So Sorry for your loss our love and prayers goes out to all your families
We are so truly sorry for your loss.
Dad will certainly miss his roommate.
The Campbell Family
Sorry for the loss of Rowe -he was such a funny and kind gentleman- we will treasure all the great memories we had and will be dearly missed
So sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you Sally and all the family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.. Love Albert and Cecelia.
So sorry for your loss Issy and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So very sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing. He was such a wonderful man. Our condolences to you all at this difficult time.
Melanie & Gerald Phillippo
I’ve known Rowe, for most of my life. First hearing his name often on the radio for his sports feats, growing up with his kids, working with him at Cape Breton Dairy and his running of the Irving Service Station next door to my family home. He was a pure gentlemen. I don’t know anyone who would have a bad word to say about him. My sincere condolences to family and friends. I have a few good humours stories of Rowe to tell, that I often tell through the years. Barry Forrest
So sorry for the loss of your Husband and Father he was a awesome person he will be missed by all who knew him
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Dear Sally and Family:
So sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing. He was a wonderful,kind, humble man. I know he helped many people in the community and they loved him for it. I was fortunate to watch him play softball three times and holy cow….Rowe was a great player! After each game I would turn up my bragging rights…that’s my neighbour…yep…that’s my neighbour!….huh-huh….that’s Rowe- my neighbour! I think people got it…Lol.. Please know that I am thinking of you Sally and your family. Bless you in your sorrow . It was a great honour to have known Rowe.
Our condolences to the Rudderham family.
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of Rowe,s passing. My condolences to Sally and the family.
Sally, Glenda and family so very sorry for the loss of Rowe, I had the pleasure of watching Rowe in the earlier softball years, playing against my husband. “He was a tough pitcher, always a good sport, and fun to watch”. Please take comfort in your loving memories. With deepest sympathy. Donna (Reid) & Nick Rutherford
Sincerest Condolences to Sally, Glenda, Marie, Stewart, Brent & Derek, Spouses & grandchildren. Rowe was a truly nice man, who loved his family & his Community was a member of the Westmount Fire Dept., had passion for sports esp. baseball can remember watching him playing with my Mom who loved Ball. A truly nice man, very much a gentleman! RIP Rowe… hugs & prayers to Sally & Family ❤️
So very sorry to read of Rowe’s passing. Sincere condolences to you Sally and all your family. We will remember all the good times bowling and all the Westmount Senior bus trips. He will be missed. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Take care of each other and remember all those precious memories. B&J
Sincere condolences to the Rudderham family.
Jimmy and Sherry Oakley
Condolences to Rowe’s Family . Rowe was our milkman when I was a kid , he was a kind man , always a smile .
Anna Marie Mac Nevin
Marie & Glenda, I am sorry to learn of your father’s passing. Please extend our condolences to your mom and family. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
So sorry for your great loss. My sincere condolences to all the family at this difficult time .
So sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing. Attended many ball games; especially loved when Rowe was pitching. Condolences to Sally and their children.
Sorry for your loss.
Very sorry for your loss. My condolences to the entire family.
Sally and family so sorry to hear of Rowes passing. We send our condolences to one and all at this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and cherish the memories you’ve made over the years. Jo-Anne & Tom Currie.
We are so sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing. We have only but good memories of him; such a kind man. Our sincerest condolences to all. xo
Joe, Shelley and family
So sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing, I cherished his friendship over the years and he was someone that I looked up for his high moral standards and dedication to the community. Condolences to Sally and his family.
Glenda/Family-So very Sorry for your loss
rowe was a kind soul my thoughts are with you and your family
So very sorry to hear of Rowes passing,our sincere condolences to Sally and family our prayers and blessings are with you all at this sad time 🙏🙏 RIP old friend
Dear Sally and family. I would like to extend our sincere condolences on Rowe’s passing. Eric & I said he was such a wonderful man. We the Walker family have such fond memories. God bless you all ❤️
Growing up in Edwardsville, I knew Rowe as the funny milkman that pretended to be cranky with us kids getting on his milk truck, the pitcher that played ball with my uncles, the Williams boys, and the man that my parents and everyone in the community seemed to know. We are so deeply sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing. He was always kind and good to me. Derek and Stewart my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE RUDDERHAM FAMILY- AND TO LIAM AND KAREN WHO HAVE LOST TWO BELOVED GRANDPARENTS, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
I was so sad to read of Rowes passing. Hugs and prayers for the family. Rowe was such an icon in west mount – a truly community minded man. First met him back when Marie and Glenda were in Girl Guides.
We are so sorry to hear of Rowe’s passing he was a great guy and a true gentleman.
My condolences to the family.
I grew up with Rowe as my milkman, had the honour playing ball with him as well as playing darts for many years.
He was a great man and a great friend to all and will be missed.
My uncle, Kenny MacDermid, was a great friend of Rowe when he pitched for the Westmount Royals. I used to watch some of the games and will never forget the time that he and a very young Steve Fraser both pitched nine inning no-hitters at the old Westmount field. Both he and Steve came to my uncle’s wake in Wreck Cove. Later, when he retired he umpired and I was hosting a provincial tournament in St. Peter’s where he and Campy Crawford came to umpire. We had a few good conversations about fast pitch softball and how it changed. He was very gracious and kind to me and all those at that time. My condolences to the family,
Sincere condolences to Sally and the family. Truly a good and kind man.
While he was at the dairy, we kids would wait for him to deliver Krim-Ko in the small glass bottles. Without fail, he would say he didn’t have any or he did but it was sour. He would finally relent and pass them out but always watched you closely until after your first sip . “ wow, “ he’d say, “ I guess that one wasn’t sour!”
Warm memories indeed.
Sincere condolences to You Sally and the Rudderham and MacMullin Family. RIP.
My sincerest condolences on your loss. Rowe was a great man and how many could have pitched like him in his 60’s? He played with us on our league team back in the 90’s down at the Coast Guard College field and you could tell he never lost his enjoyment of the game – or his pitch. And Krimko will be forever etched into my memory thanks to Rowe.
Wishes to Sally and all the family at this time from myself and the other Dixon brothers and sisters around the country.
Dear Sally, Marie, Glenda, Brent, Stewart, and Derek, and all of Rowe’s extended family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Rowe, the last of that part of the Rudderham family and the last of my Mother’s four beloved brothers. I remember Rowe as a quiet and gentle man, with a quick wit and great sense of humour. And so devoted to all of his family. Sincere condolences at this very sad time. Alison Taylor Love, Calgary.
Yes, what a great person and competitor Rowe was. I was in awe from the time I played with the Westside Legionnaires and couldn’t wait to get over to Westmount field to watch the Royals play with Rowe on the mound. Winter Saturday mornings before 6am waiting at the Irving garage for Rowe to come over the hill, picking me up and driving to the Dairy. I wouldn’t have been able to play Midget C at the old Sydney Forum without him! Then later in my early 20’s making the Westmount Mooseheads and being able to play a few years with my childhood hero’s (the late Williams Brothers included). Dragging Rowe (late in his career) and only 9 others to a tournament in the Valley and catching him in the Championship game as he struck out 15 Intermediate “A” players (less than half his age) as we won 3-0. One of the most fun trips I can remember. I’d like to say RIP but something tells me he will be continually looking for that next softball game to win. To Sally, Brent, Derek, Glenda and Marie, this is how I remember Rowe!
To the Rudderham family
Fond memories with Rowe at the ball field, I recall watching his amazing skills and then enjoyed many games umpiring with him. Also my wife’s grandmother Margaret collins was a neighbour in beaver cove.
A true gentleman
Aunt Sally and dear cousins… BIG HUGS.
Ellen and Charles
Sorry for your loss
Rowe was a great teammate and a great Uncle. He will be missed and thought of often. My Dad was so proud of his little brother. My regards to all in CB.
My Dad used to take me to see Rowe pitch during the 1960’s at the old Westmount and Pt. Edward fields. Rowe pitched for us (the Westside Buckeyes) when they first played in the Cape Breton Fastball League. The best game I ever saw him pitch for us was in a tournament in Kentville when he completely baffled the Intermediate “A” team we played. I was deeply saddened by Rowe’s passing, and my condolences go out to the family. It was a pleasure and an honor to have known him.
Dear Sally and Family, My deepest condolences to you all. Rowe was a gentleman, with a smile and a great story. He will be missed by many. Hugs and prayers for you all.
My Dad always talked about Rowe’s great pitching.
I remember the chocolate milk(Krim Ko) and how wonderful it tasted. He often said there wasn’t any that day, but after he left the milk at the door, the KrimKo appeared.
Deepest sympathy for Rowe’s passing. My father worked with Rowe for years at Cape Breton Dairy/Scotsburn Dairy. He always spoke highly of Rowe! I remember meeting Rowe with my dad years ago while working on the milk truck. We enjoyed playing darts with Rowe while catching the bluejays on tv at the same time. He was a wonderful man, so sorry for your great loss.