Joseph Aloysius Ruddy Sr. (September 28, 1878 – November 11, 1962) was an American competition swimmer and water polo player who represented the United States at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri.

[4] Ruddy won a gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the 1904 St. Louis men's 4x50-yard freestyle relay composed of members of the New York Athletic Club coached by NYAC Head Coach Gus Sundstrom.

The American team members included Ruddy as lead off swimmer, followed by Budd Goodwin, Louis Handley, and Charlie Daniels.

[5] He won a second gold medal as a member of the first-place U.S. water polo team that also represented the New York Athletic Club, also coached by Gus Sundstrom.

Most significantly in his career, he coached both swimming and Water Polo teams for the New York Athletic Club roughly from 1904-1954.

[9] In 1902, he served as a Junior clerk in the Municipal Civil Service Commission, and was later appointed as a physical examiner.

A Mass was held on November 14 at St. Frances de Sales Church in Rockaway Park, Queens.