Jay Robert Rodia

Jay Robert Rodia, age 69, of Indianapolis passed away peacefully on September 3, 2022. The son of Dr. Jacob and Judith Rodia, Jay moved around the Midwest as a child, attending middle school at St. Augustine School and graduating from Rensselaer Central High School in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1970, where he was a top student and varsity basketball and track athlete. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Purdue University in 1974 and subsequently earned a JD degree from Indiana University School of Law in 1978.

Jay spent his career as an attorney; he had a passion for researching cases and writing legal briefs. After working for the State of Indiana Public Defender and Attorney General Offices, he spent the majority of his career at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) enforcing the State’s environmental laws. After his retirement in 2009, he returned to the Indiana Public Defender’s Office to work part-time on appellate cases.

Jay met his wife of 33 years, Nancy Fread, through a mutual friend due to their shared interest in tennis; they married on July 1, 1989. Jay liked to stay active and enjoyed regular walks and hikes throughout his life. He played on USTA travel tennis teams for over a decade. Later in life, he enjoyed the company of their black Labrador, Annie, who often accompanied him on neighborhood walks.

Jay was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed auto races of all types, particularly the Indy 500, which he attended for thirty years. He could often be found watching football, basketball, tennis, baseball, or ice hockey, and attended many Butler University basketball games with Nancy.

Jay is survived by his wife, Nancy Rodia; a brother, Stephen (Sue) Rodia of Portage, MI; three sisters, Susan (John) Cunningham of St. Louis, MO, Anne Richardson of Terre Haute, IN, and Nancy (Ihor) Boyko of Indianapolis; two brothers-in-law, Don (Cynthia) Fread of Indianapolis and Ron Readinger of Terre Haute, IN; four nephews, Steven (Laken) Richardson, Nathan Readinger (Amanda Bolin), Jordan Readinger, and Wesley (Jamie) Readinger, all of Terre Haute, IN; one niece, Nicole Rodia (William Westrick) of Palo Alto, CA; eight great nieces and nephews, Jack, Henleigh, Brody and Tristan Readinger, Liam Dougherty, and Lynlee, Lainey and Ace Richardson, all of Terre Haute, IN; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Michael Cunningham.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67^th St., Indianapolis on Sunday, October 16, 2022, with visitation from 2 to 5 pm and a service at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana at gleaners.org, Indiana Public Defender Council at in.gov/ipdc, or a charity of your choice.