Obituary : Brian P. Ruddick
Brian P. Ruddick died at his daughter's home in Cleveland, Ohio on September 27. Born in Durham, England, on November 4, 1939, he was the son of Vera (McGurk) and Robert Ruddick, of Gateshead, England.
He attended Library school in Manchester, England, before he immigrated to the U.S. to accept work in the Cleveland Public Library. He received an MA in English Literature at Cleveland State University and an MLS at Case Western Reserve University. He was employed at Cleveland State University library until he retired to the Vineyard in 1994.
During his time on the Vineyard he volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Aquinnah library and worked at both the Chilmark and West Tisbury libraries. His love of books - Shakespeare, poetry - and music, especially early jazz, and his dog, Tucker sustained him during his courageous battle with cancer. He leaves his companion of many years, Hannah Beecher of West Tisbury; a son, Brian P. Ruddick Jr. of San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Justine Ruddick; his former wife, Dorothy Ruddick; two grandchildren, Taylor Smith and Jacques Smith of Cleveland, Ohio; and cousins, Kenneth Barnes of North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, and Arthur Barnes of London, England. Brian's kind, gentle, and unassuming nature will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.
Interment will be in the West Tisbury cemetery. Memorial services will be held at a date to be announced. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard or the West Tisbury Library.
