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Estill ‘John’ Bowling, 77

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Estill “John” Bowling passed away with loved ones at his side in Bowling Green, Kentucky on December 28, 2020 after a courageous battle against COVID-19. 

After graduating high school where #25 was a star basketball player, he received a basketball scholarship to a junior college in Kentucky, but later left school to join the Air Force during which time he eventually worked with NASA and the space program. After military service, Estill became a nationally recognized leader in sales and marketing while leading a team of over 100. He was also a sought-after motivational speaker often called upon to give inspirational talks and retell his “rags to riches” story of growing up poor as the son of a sharecropper, never taking no for answer, and working hard. He always said that despite the poverty in which he grew up, he was surrounded by loving parents and close-knit siblings, something he would not have changed for any amount of money. Even though encountering numerous challenges later in life, he remained positive and always tried to highlight the good in people and life in general.

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Beatrice Jane Repko, 97

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Beatrice Jane Repko (Martin) formerly of New Canaan, Connecticut, passed away December 20, 2020 at her home in Scottsdale, AZ, shortly after her 97th birthday. She passed away peacefully in her sleep. She lived at Valencia Home in Scottsdale, a retirement residence for women. Bette was born in New Haven, Connecticut, December 15, 1923 at Grace – New Haven Hospital, the youngest child of Gilbert and Isabel (Yates) Martin. While living in Woodbridge, CT, she married John E. Repko, Jr. (Chappaqua, NY) on September 6, 1946.

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Sarah Abrahams Natale, 75

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August 25, 1945- December 1, 2020

With deep sadness and much love, we mourn the passing of Sarah Natale, lifelong resident of New Canaan, at the age of 75. Sarah will be remembered lovingly by all who knew her, especially her four children Max Levinson(Kristin), Peter Levinson (Teresa), Katie Burke (David) and Sarah Marguerite Natale (Ken Markosky) as well as her beloved grandchildren Hazel, Charlotte, Tucker and Meyer and her brother Michael (Elena) Abrahams.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 35 years (Richard) and her sister Susie Hauser. 

Born in Tacoma, Washington to a military doctor, Meyer, New Canaan’s town doctor for over 40 years, and nurse Marguerite, Sarah lived in New Canaan for most of her life. A graduate of Low-Heywood School and Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied under Joseph Campbell, Sarah pursued a successful career in advertising before settling in New Canaan and devoting herself full time to her family. As her children grew, she later enjoyed working at several of New Canaan’s retailers as well as serving as a Human Resources/Special Events Coordinator at Titan Sports (now WWE). Memorial Donations in Sarah’s name to The New Canaan Nature Center or The Abrahams Family Fund for Children’s Jewish Education at Chabad New Canaan Jewish Center.

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Theodore ‘Ted’ John Rucci, 36

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Theodore John (Ted) Rucci, beloved son of Debbie and Joe Rucci, passed away on November 24 at age 36. 

Born on April 16, 1984, Ted attended West School and Saxe Middle School in New Canaan, and graduated from King Low Heywood Thomas School (KLHT) in Stamford where he made lifelong friends.  There he was captain of the cross country track team and a constant in every theater production.  He played leading roles in The Sound of Music, Great Expectations and in The Glass Menagerie, which he also directed.  Ted went on to Fordham University, where he acted in myriad productions and directed Harold Pinter’s play, The Birthday Party.  He graduated in 2006 with a dual major in acting and directing.  

Ted reluctantly gave up the theater to pursue a career in the legal field, building on his part time work as a paralegal at Rucci Law Group. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Quinnipiac Law School and was admitted to the CT bar in 2015. He settled in West Haven and worked in several law firms in the area. 

Ted remained passionate about theater, and counted the outdoors, technology, and animals, among other things he loved.  He taught the family’s contrary rescue dog more than a dozen tricks.  He loved to hike and would take hours-long walks every day. He had a curious mind, read constantly, and had an enviable store of both trivial and profound knowledge.

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Julie Ruffin, 77

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Julie Ruffin, a New Canaan resident for many years passed away on September 23, 2020 at home, surrounded by her family. She was 77. She was born March 3, 1943 in Stamford, CT, the daughter of the late Elizabeth Gaitwood. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Jimmy Ruffin, Siblings; Dana Fagan, Barbara Ann James and Brother Alexander Hart. Julie loved movies, music, art, and especially painting, creating a number of beautiful watercolor pieces which she gifted to friends and family.