Roy Kudrin, 93, Musician and Retired Architect

Roy Kudrin, 93 of Sheffield Village, passed away peacefully in his home on March 31, 2022. Roy’s loved ones will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Roy was born November 13th, 1928 in Lorain, OH. After graduating from Clearview High School in 1946, he went on to Germany and was in the Army stationed in Frankfurt. As a musician, Roy played Alto Sax and was in the 4th Infantry Division band. While in Frankfurt, he studied bass with Jon Kramer, 1st bassist with the Frankfurt symphony.

After a safe return to the US, Roy married Pauline (Dziak) in 1951, going on to have a son, Mark. They were married for 58 glorious years.

Roy studied architecture at Cleveland Engineering Institute and Case Western Reserve School of Architecture. Roy enjoyed a 30-year career in architecture and worked at many local prestigious architecture firms that included Post and Clark and Landig and Wykoff.

Roy’s legendary love of music led him on an extraordinary journey that spanned a lifetime. It all started with his father. He instilled upon him and his sister, Viola the love of music. Not only did Roy play and teach music, he also handcrafted many of the tamburas used in performances. This amazing skill was decades of training by his father John Kudrin, a Tamburitzan Hall of Fame inductee.

Roy’s pride was in his Lira Tamburitzan students, and he shared his passion for music with hundreds of children over the years, many of whom went on to get scholarships to Duquesne University and pursue musical careers of their own.
Roy had Gregg and David, his two unforgettable nephews, and Tamara, his loving niece, that he was honored to share their life and love.

Roy was recently recognized by the Oberlin Historical Society for having been the Bassist who accompanied Professor Arthur Dann on his Jazz Album, King Arthur and His Men.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Pauline, and his sister, Viola. He is survived by his son, Mark (Lisa); and his grandson, Corban.

Roy was a proud member of Local 4, American Federation of Musicians and the American Croatian Club.

Dear Friends, we invite you to celebrate his life with a Donation in his name to “The Northern Ohio Chapter of A Kid Again”. Private Family Services will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway, Lorain. Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.

A beautiful quote shared by Roy, “Treasure your memories for they are forever, and keep a song in your heart!”