Rudolph Supina

Rudolph John Supina, "Rudy", of Waterfall Road, Ashford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2006, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Rudy was born in the Bronx and attended the New York public school system until March, 1942, when his family moved to Waterfall Road in Ashford, CT, next to the family homestead and resided there with his wife and family until his recent death. He attended the Ashford Public schools and Graduated from Windham High school in June, 1948. In November, 1950, he enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean conflict and attended Aviation Electronics School. He was assigned to a seaplane patrol bomber squadron (VP-44) in Norfolk, VA, as a Aviation Electronics Technician (Radio-Radar) patrolling the South Atlantic for submarine activity. He later served with the Advanced Training Unit (ATU-700) instructing other air crewmen in Corpus Christi, TX. In 1948 he went to work for the Bureau of Roadside Development (CT State Highway Dept.) as a landscaper. He remained with the department which later became the CT Department of Transportation until he retired as Director of Highway Maintenance in June of 1986, a career that lasted 38 years. Rudy received many gubernatorial commendations for his swift and decisive handling of state emergencies such as blizzard Larry, the Mianus River bridge collapse, and the Hartford Landfill fires. It is not known how many lives were saved during Rudy's tenure and dedicated service. It is only known that Connecticut and its transportation system is better for having him. During his lifetime, Rudy was an accomplished pilot and captain and snowmobiled Canada, Yellowstone, and Jackson Hole. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed his game of golf and the casinos. Rudy was a true family man and exemplified his love for his family including them in everything he did. Rudy was an active community member and communicant of Saint Philip the Apostle Church. He was a member of the Adoration Society. Rudy devoted much time to the Boy Scouts of America and any community or civic organization that asked for it. Rudy is survived by his beloved wife Anne, his five children and their spouses: Rudy & Mary Supina, Vincent & Sue Supina, Lisa & Michael Enright, Dennis & Beth Supina, all of Ashford, CT, and Eric & Paula Supina of Georgetown, SC. He leaves fourteen grandchildren; Stephen, Angela, Jacqueline, & Nicholas Supina, Jenna & Marlena Supina, Megan & Shannon Enright, Alexandra & Anne Mary Supina, Jared, Zachary, Sydney Supina, and Krissie Morris. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Joyce & Jim Maddaloni, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Sister Valeria Belanger, Paul Belanger, Joseph & Leslie Belanger and numerous nieces and nephews. His family will receive friends at the Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main Street, Stafford Springs, CT, on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 11 A.M. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, CT. Burial will follow in Saint Philip Cemetery, Ashford, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (Lung Cancer), 538 Preston Ave., P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450, or to Saint Philip the Apostle Church, 64 Pompey Hollow Rd., Ashford, CT 06278.

Rudolph Supina

May 6, 1931 - February 19, 2006