from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Paul Arthur Dudzik, 62, of Sandwich, Ill., died Feb. 26, 2010 at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora.

He was born Feb. 12, 1948 in Sandwich, the son of David and Martha (Dunbar). He married Mary K. Black on June 17, 1972 in Medina, Ohio.

Mr. Dudzik was a member of Union Congregational Church in Somonauk. He was a Vietnam veteran having served with the U.S. Army. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his family and friends.

Mr. Dudzik trained Standardbreds for over 40 years. He trained at the Sandwich Fairgrounds along with his son, Jerry, and raced mainly at the Chicago racetracks and traveled the Northern Illinois Colt Association fair circuit each summer.

Besides training, he also drove on rare occasions. His career highlights include driving the 3-year-old trotting filly Pretty Snippy to a 2:01.4 victory at Quad City Downs in 1990. This established an Illinois season’s mark for a sophomore trotting filly on a five-eighths-mile track. More recently he piloted the 2-year-old pacing gelding Wayne Macklane to a 2:01.4 score at Deacatur in 2007. This was an Illinois season’s mark for a freshman gelding on a half-mile track.

He currently trained two horses, RASCC and Colonel Vernol. A sentimental favorite of his, RASCC won at Maywood Park the day after he was laid to rest.

Mr. Dudzik is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Jerry (Jill); daughter, Christy; granddaughter, Peyton; and brother, David (Diane). He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation was held Tuesday, March 2, at the Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 3, at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich.