Dr. Paul Joseph Luddy
March 18, 1963 - July 28, 2021
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Dr. Paul Joseph Luddy
March 18, 1963 - July 28, 2021
Obituary
It is with deep sadness that the family of Paul Joseph Luddy, DVM, announce his passing on July 28, 2021. He was 58 years old.
Paul was the fifth of six children born to Vincent and Germaine Luddy. He was raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and lived first in Kensington and later in Darnestown, Maryland. As a young person, he was an avid outdoorsman, and never missed a chance to fish, camp, or just be in the woods. His love of nature never left him. After graduation from Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland, he studied biology at the University of Maryland, College Park, and then went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Following vet school, he moved to Orange County, California where he established an equine veterinary practice, which he ran for thirty years. As a practitioner, he was always educating himself on new technologies; he was one of the first vets in California to adopt the use of shockwave therapy. Yet he never forgot his fundamental training and maintained that for proper diagnosis and treatment, a vet’s best tool was a thorough physical exam.
From his earliest days, Paul loved animals. As a child, he and his siblings rode horses in Maryland and, as an adult, he raised yellow Labrador Retrievers. His dogs traveled with him nearly everywhere he went and always had a very special place in his heart. His kindness, compassion, and astute powers of observation made him an exceptional vet.
Paul was a life-long learner and man of many talents and interests. He chose science as his profession because of his insatiable curiosity and quest for knowledge. He made his home by the beach and loved the freedom of swimming in the ocean. Even though he found himself surrounded by suburbia, his gift for growing plants helped him transform his backyard into an oasis of life. He never failed to appreciate the majesty of a sunrise or sunset or the bloom of the spring flowers in the California desert. All his days, Paul remained one with nature, his spirt forever wild and free. And all this he good-heartedly shared with his family and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his two children, father, five siblings, four nieces, one nephew, and many, many devoted friends who he considered family.
All who knew Paul will miss his wit and humor, his infectious laugh, the warmth of his hug, the generosity of his spirit. Most of all, Paul loved his family and friends with all his heart and soul and will be forever loved in return the same way. God Bless, Dr. Paul Luddy!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11 am in Darnestown, MD. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider planting a tree in honor of Paul’s memory.
23 responses to Dr. Paul Joseph Luddy
Susan Alexander says:
August 12, 2021
My deepest condolences to your beautiful children and family!Paul, as you know, you have always held a special place in my heart and always will. I was fortunate enough to find a friend in you in high school and spend time with you when you went to U of MD and lived at the animal hospital. We never went anywhere without your dog sitting between us in your little truck and I would not have had it any other way.Who else could turn picking wild flowers into crazy, funny afternoons! I will hold onto all of those memories and the phone calls we shared over the past few years. You never saw the kind, compassionate, and loving person you are, but the rest of us did . I know you are at peace in your mother’s arms now and take comfort in knowing you will continue to make your snarky remarks until we see you soon. Much love to you my friend. Susan
Kelly Dunbar says:
August 13, 2021
Paul,
My heart hurts so bad that we lost you! I think I speak for so many people that you made such a funny, warm, caring, interesting, horse loving, generous, looked forward to seeing you person that impacted so many of our lives That you have no idea how much you are missed!!!!
My heart hurts for your son and your daughter for losing you so young, but hopefully they will get to hear so many stories about you from so many people that you made smile!
RIP my friend
Simone Starnes says:
August 13, 2021
Mary says:
August 17, 2021
Luddy , you were like a big brother to me since you got to Orange County you were a great friend and vet to my horses and dogs ! I miss laughing and talking to you! I was blessed to know you , someone with a HUGE heart you brought so many people together and were kind to everyone! You loved your kids and family so much , God Bless You
Tiffany Knight says:
August 17, 2021
Paul, you were one of my dearest friends!! We had a friendship I will cherish and remember forever You helped me with my horses , my dogs and always there or a phone call away if I needed a life decision or transition or just a person too tell me if I was being ridiculous
Thank -you for being in my life for 25 years. The past years were so hard on you , but you loved your kids and fought the good fight as long as you could. Rest In Peace Paul. my dear freind