Rudolph C. Cane, Sr., the son of the late H. Webster Cane, Sr. and Annie Hill Cane, was born on May 23, 1934 in Marion, Maryland. In the early morning of January 20, 2024, he was called to eternal rest. Preceding him in death were his sister Mary Elizabeth Cane Vaughn and two brothers Honiss W. Cane, Jr. and Donald E. Cane.
Rudolph Cane was a 1952 graduate from Carter G. Woodson High School in Crisfield, Maryland. He entered the United States Army right after high school and served as a radar specialist earning the rank of sergeant by the time of his honorable discharge in 1955. Rudolph married his high school sweetheart, the late Louella Fitchett Cane in November 1957.
After his military service he pursued undergraduate studies at Maryland State College and Coppin State College. He began a career with the Bureau of Materials and Research in 1957 in Brooklandville, MD as an Evaluation Engineer. In 1968, Rudy transferred to the State Highway Administration in Easton, MD where he was a Materials Engineer and Director of Administration of the Eastern Regional Laboratory until his retirement in 1984. Rudy served on the Board of Directors of Shore Up, Inc from 1978-83 where he later became an Administrator of Community and Housing Development from 1984-2014.
Cane, who was always civic minded, was a part of many community organizations.
In 1968, he was Coordinator of Special Projects and Vice-President in 1969 of the Maryland State Conference of Branches, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Member of the Maryland State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1970-2002; Member, Lower Eastern Camp Committee/Cooperative Area Manpower Planning System, 1975-77; Chair, New Directions for Political and Social Change, 1977; Citizen’s Advisory Board for Holly Center, 1976-98; Chancellor’s Advisory Committee, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1977-80; Board of Zoning Appeals, Wicomico County, 1980-90; Member, Delmarva Advisory Council, 1980-98; Maryland Rural Development Corporation, 1987-98. Member, County Council, Wicomico County, District 1, 1990-94.
Rudolph C. Cane, Sr., was a politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the first African American to represent the Eastern Shore for District 37A in the Maryland House of Delegates. He proudly represented them for 15 years serving from January 13, 1999, to January 2015. He was also a former chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.
While representing the Eastern Shore for District 37A in the Maryland House of Delegates, Rudolph served on numerous Tasks Forces, Subcommittees and Commissions to improve the communities in which we live. He has also received numerous accolades, some of which are:
Outstanding Work in Wicomico County from the NAACP, 1974; Outstanding Citizen Award for Community Service in the Field of Human Rights given by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Salisbury State University, 1974; Outstanding Rural Legislator Award granted by the Rural Maryland Council, 2004; Legislative Leadership Award from the Community Action Partnership, 2005; Casper R. Taylor, Jr. Founder’s Award granted by the House of Delegates, 2011; Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Morgan State University, 2014.
Rudolph was active as a longtime Member of the Queen City Elks Lodge 1051; Lamech Lodge 30, Prince Hall Affiliated Free and Accepted Masons and American Legion Post 145; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10159. He was also warmly welcomed by his brothers into the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons Grand Lodge of Arizona during his years in Arizona.
Rudolph leaves behind to cherish his life and memories: his son, Dr. Rudolph C. Cane, Jr. (Suncica Cane) of Mesa, AZ; his daughter, Dr. Renée Cane McCoy (Derrick McCoy) of Phoenix, AZ; two grandsons, Avery McCoy and Aizen McCoy; one granddaughter, Alexa McCoy; a sister, Hazel Conway; a brother, Dr. James H. Cane, Sr.; nieces, nephews and a host of relatives, loved ones and friends.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 3, 2024 at St. James United Methodist Church, 8730 Crisfield Highway, Westover, Maryland with a visitation one hour prior. A visitation will also be held 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Friday, February 2, 2024 at the church. Ceremonial rites will be performed by Lamech Masonic Lodge #30 of Salisbury, Maryland at 7:00 PM.
Interment will be at Springhill Memory Gardens, Hebron, Maryland.
In Lieu of Flowers please make charitable donations to Shore Up, Inc. in memory of the Rudolph C. Cane, Sr.
39 Responses
My condolences to the family of my friend this man of service. I will miss our conversations and the laughs we shared. R.I. P. My friend.
In celebration of the life of Mr. Cane, we extend our sincere prayers and condolences.
A life well lived, cousin Rudolph. Thanks for your leadership. 🖤 Love, prayers, and good memories to Rudy, Jr., Renee, and family.
-Marchesa
Prayers 🙏🙏 And. Blessings. To THE Family
R I P My Friend 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Cousin Rudy was a gem. Sending hugs to you all.
My condolences and blessings to the family!🙏🙏🙏
My condolences and prayers to the Family!
A Great Man he was, may he rest in paradise!
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Cane family. May our Heavenly Father be a comforter and give you strength. Love and prayers, Freeman and June
My Condolences and Prayers to the family.
Thank you for the wisdom shared.
RIP – Mr. Cane
Mr. Cane
Special individual that has helped so many people during their journey. Mr. Cane has often provided wise advice to use during my journey.
Thank You
Mr. Cane
Stewart, D.
Sending condolence to the family.
Our prayers/deep sympathy for the family and we will always have good memories. RIP!
I was so sorry to hear of Rudy’s passing. We will keep him and his family in our prayers. He was such a great human being. I always enjoyed talking with him over the years when we would run into each other on different occasions. I considered him a friend and wonderful father to his children – who I had the great privilege to teach. The world lost a great man, but heaven gain a wonderful angel to watch over us.
Renee,
We’re sorry for the loss of our friend, Delegate Cane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during your time of Breavement.
I first met Rudy when I was on the Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee in 1983. We worked on drafting a minority district for Salisbury area. We were unsuccessful then but it occurred later. I met up with several times after he was elected as Delegate Rudy had a wonderful engaging personality which put you at ease immediately. He was dedicated to public service and worked hard for his community. May God Bless hi family and Give rest to his soul
Mr. Cane had been more than a friend (if you could call someone your senior a friend) and neighbor, Mr. Cane was, for me, an advisor and mentor someone I would run things pass when he lived and worked on the shore after I became an adult. We spent some nights in his family room watching the Lakers in the play-offs one summer, he and his family were always welcoming to boys coming into his house at that hour to watch basketball. I have found memories of this great man. He was someone I looked up to. Someone I wanted to emulate. He was a man of action and honor. I am proud and honored to have known and shared some of life’s journey with this great man.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to Rudy Jr. and Renee and the rest of their family. Be well and Be Blessed Family.
On behalf of my mother Lois Wilburn, who passed last August at 101, and our family, we send our deepest condolences to Rudy Jr. and family. Rudy was a neighbor and close family friend over the years when the family lived on Spring Hill Road near Hebron. He was a man of standard and his legacy will forever remain in our hearts.
Our condolences to the Family. May you find comfort in the Grace of Lord Jesus, that he is just asleep.
Holland Family
We have lost one of the greatest ppl ever on this Eastern Shore of MD. A true man of wisdom, a mentor and a great family friend just like an uncle to our family. I’m truly going to miss his wit and sense of humor. Those calls once or twice a week. Rudy truly stepped in when I lost my father. I pray for peace for Rudy, Renee and the rest of the family. Love you all! My heart is truly hurt! R.I. P Rudolph C
Cane
We are so sorry for the passing of our friend Rudy. We will miss our conversations with him and the wisdom, as well as the laughter he gave to us. We knew him as a servant to God and community. “And those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus”.
Rest in peace my friend. And we extend our deepest and sincere sympathy to Rudy, Jr., and Renee and their families.
An extraordinary life. Mr Cane was kind and wise. Rest easy.
I am sorry to hear of the depature of my friend, Rudy Cane. My deepest sympathy to his children, grandchildren and other family members. I had the honor of serving with him while we served on the Wicomico County Council. I admired his wit and common sense in working to govern the county business. Rest in peace my friend!
Julia Marcos-Foxwell
Condolences & sincere sympathy to Rudy, Renae, Hazel, James, grandchildren and the entire family. He will join his brother, Honiss, my brother DeWayne Whittington and Anthony Ward. All of them were best friends here on earth. I am sure they will meet again & they will be Walking Around Heaven. Sending prayers to the entire family during this difficult time. 🙏🙏🙏
Rudy, Renee & the family, please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your father. You and your families will always carry his love and wisdom with you. Those of us from the Eastern shore will always hold a special place in our hearts for him.
We thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and condolences on the loss of our father, Rudolph C. Cane, Sr.
The Family
❤️
Some people write history and some make history. Delegate Cane was a history-maker. His election helped to change the political complexion of the Maryland Eastern Shore.
I had the pleasure of knowing Delegate Cane. when I served as the first Civil Rights Director for the Office of the Maryland Attorney General. I joined with many in expressing my condolences to his family and friends.
Delegate Cane now belongs to the Ages and the Angels, may he rest in peace knowing that he made a difference.
He was a Friend to all that knew him..He was a Leader ..I remember him giving me a Birthday Card and i had no idea he knew when my Birthday was..He was loved by all Condolences to His Family and Thousands of Friends
I am so very sorry the world lost such a great gentleman. He had such great intuition and such a big heart. A very very high-quality man. I loved his wife and children, and was so proud of their accomplishments. He was very accomplished as well, and just such a humble individual with so many friends. Everybody liked working with Rudy. My deepest sympathies.
Sending love and condolences to Rudy, Renee, Hazel, James and all of the family. Cousin Rudy was truly a trailblazer and an icon. He will always be remembered with love and admiration.
Mr. Cane was a cherished family friend. I can still remember when he would come over and visit my parents from my childhood. He and my dad (now deceased Thomas “Sonny” Wise), would cut up for hours. He always brought so much joy and laughter to our home. To the family, please accept our condolences…Frances & Tami Wise. He was a gem.
To The Cain Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Mr Rudy. He truly lived a life that help so many. His legacy will live on in all who knew him and loved him. Praying that God will comfort you and give you peace during this difficult time.
Sheila and Michael King
My condolences to the Cane family. May God continue to Bless you all with His comfort and peace 🙏🏽
Catherine Jackson
Seasons go by– and now its Rudy’s season to rest in God’s loving arms. Rudy was my friend; advisor and I will sincerely miss him.
Rudy loved his family. To Renee and Rudy Jr., we know that you will miss your dad, but the precious memories will always be with you. How proud he was of both of you! He adored his grandchildren and cherished every moment of their developmental accomplishments.
During my tenure as Executive Director of SHORE Up! Inc. Rudy was instrumental, as a Delegate, in securing funding for our Agency. Rudy loved his community. He will always be remembered as a dedicated, conscientious, hard-working statesman, who represented countless individuals and families from the eastern shore. Rudy was known throughout the state as a man of dignity and honor, whose unselfish deeds, demonstrated that he respected and cared for all mankind.
To God Be the Glory!
Respectfully Submitted,
Freddy L. Mitchell
Delegate Cane was truly a pioneer and statesman. He served the people well loved his family and worked diligently to promote opportunity for all. He was a trailblazer paving the way for so many who are following in his footsteps. I am thankful to have had the privilege to serve with him in our 37th Legislatve district on the Eastern Shore. Blessings and peace to the Cane family. He loved you all so much.
In so sorry to hear of this wonderful man passing.What a wonderful person.Nt prayers and condolences to the family
In so sorry to hear of this wonderful man passing.What a wonderful person.My prayers and condolences to the family
Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Oh yes, he was a watch tower in the halls of justice for his community, a strong branch for his family and friends to abound. His voice will continue to echo from shore to shining shore…resting in the shadow of the Almighty. I say amen to the family and friends of a beloved soul.