Rudy Lia

Rudy Lia, 56, of Amherst NH, died peacefully in his home on March 30, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rudy grew up in Burlington VT and graduated from UVM with a degree in Economics. In 1989 he married Anne Marie; they settled down in Nashua NH where he began his lifelong career in operations. Rudy proved his incredible work ethic and leadership early in his career. He became a manager at the age of 25 and was known for his natural ability to assess where changes needed to be made and turn things around while always giving credit to his team rather than himself. In 1998 Rudy completed his MBA, graduating with distinction from Rivier University.

Throughout his life Rudy had an enormous impact on countless family members, friends, and coworkers. He was completely selfless and those who knew him were touched by his ability to connect with each person who came into his life. He could often find the strengths in others that went unnoticed by everyone else and could push them to be their greatest selves using his own unique brand of wit, humor, and tough love.

Despite the countless lives he impacted and his many accomplishments in life, the most important thing in the world to Rudy was his family: his wife of 34 years, Anne Marie, his daughters, Nicole, Aimee, and Rachel, his two sons-in-law Brad and Ryan and his precious grandsons Leo and Hayden. His favorite pastime was gathering for family dinners and game nights, traveling, watching basketball, and planning the ultimate Disney vacation to spoil his grandsons.

Rudy is predeceased by his parents, Rudolph, and Madeline Lia. He is survived by his wife Anne Marie; his children, who were his world, Nicole Fresia and husband Brad, Aimee Lia and husband Ryan Duffy, and Rachel Lia; and the newest loves of his life, his grandsons Leo Fresia and Hayden Duffy-Lia; his sisters Paula Fitzsimmons (John) and their children John and Lia, and Elaine Smith (Chandler) and their children Austin and Carter, and many extended family including brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rudy’s family has found great comfort in the many stories that friends and family have shared recently. Those who would like to send their thoughts, memories, photos or videos please email them to rudylia.memorial@gmail.com

Also, in honor of his selflessness and his devotion to caring for others, Rudy’s family humbly asks that donations be made in his memory to the Jimmy Fund in lieu of flowers. Please use the following link to donate: http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/JimmyFund-RudyLia

For those who would like to pay their respects, calling hours will be at Smith and Heald Funeral Home (63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055) on Tuesday, April 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church (34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH 03055) at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, April 12th.