Judson Dulmage

Judson B. “Jud” Dulmage, 92, of Rockford passed away Friday, June 10, 2016, in his home. Born July 11, 1923, in Watertown, NY, the son of Erwin and Florence (Anthony) Dulmage. He was the seventh of 12 children. Following his graduation from high school in 1941, Jud was employed by the New York Air Brake Company as an apprentice tool maker. He joined the Navy during World War II in January 1943. Jud became a turret gunner on the Avenger Torpedo Bomber. He flew off the U.S.S. Yorktown aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater and he participated in the Invasion of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and bombing strikes against the Japanese mainland. His air group put the last three torpedoes in the sinking of the Japanese Yamato battleship. Jud was shot down in April 1945, while bombing the island Myano Shima and they ditched into the sea. Several hours later, he was rescued by a Navy Sea plane. He received service awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in September 1945. After leaving the Navy, he attended Clarkson University for mechanical engineering. His 40 year engineering career was in the design and production of fuel and hydraulic pumps for the aircraft and missile industry. He was employed by the New York Air Brake Company in Watertown, Pesco Products in Cleveland, Ohio, and Sundstrand Aviation in Rockford, retiring in 1989. Jud married in 1952, and had six children; he later married Frances Szell in 1972, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jud participated and enjoyed all sports. He lettered in the three major sports in high school and college. He was an approved referee for high school and college sports. Jud played two years with the Watertown Red and Black semi-pro football team. Golf became his favorite sport. He organized the Sundstrand Thursday night golf league and spent many happy rounds with the group. Member of the World War II Combat Flyers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Rockford Navy Club, The LLL Social Club and the Distinguished Flying Cross Group. Survivors include his wife, Frances; children, Paul (Bernie) Dulmage of Chesterland, Ohio, Jay Dulmage of Franklin, Tenn., Jeff Dulmage of Dundee, Joel Dulmage of Willoughby, OH, Michael Dulmage of Lewis Center, Ohio, and Dee Dee (Paul) Beran of Geneva; stepchildren, Gerald (Dreama) Szell of Bedford, Ohio, Charles (Pam) Szell of Ohio, Kenneth (Judy) Szell of Roscoe; 19 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Tom (Audrey Sorley) Dulmage of Spring Hill, Fla., and Bill (Carol) Dulmage of Watertown, New York. Predeceased by his brothers, Louis, Jerry, Paul and Jack Dulmage; sisters, Delores Gammon, June Price, Betty Selkis, Mary Escudero and Jenine Dulmage.

Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to service time. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park.