This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

The world lost a great man on Sept. 11 when David John Sepowski of Chester passed away just shy of his 88th birthday. Born in Chester on Oct. 9, 1931, to John and Clara (Budney) Sepowski, he had an idyllic childhood despite being born during the Great Depression.

He spent his youth running with his brother Jim and the rest of the Wig Hill Gang, enjoying equal parts freedom and mischief. He was an outstanding athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated from Chester High School in 1950 and enlisted in the US Army, where he served in the C Battery 238th AAA for three years stationed in Japan. He returned to marry the love of his life Mary Ellen (Jermain) in 1957. They went on to have five children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Dave was an incredibly handy, talented, and hard-working man, retiring from Essex Machine Works in 2002. His sense of humor was renowned, and he was the life of every party he attended. He was a living legend for his valiant attempt to ride his horse into the Pattaconk Inn to have a drink, accompanied by his pal Leo Rudewicz. He was never one to dwell on the negative and always made it clear that he wanted his friends and family to celebrate his life with a party, happy memories, lots of laughs, good stories, and plenty of food and drink! (His only regret was that this would be one good party he’d miss!)

Dave was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and his beloved brother Jim. He will be deeply missed by his children Diane (Steven) Barry of Deep River, Susan (David) Walker of Aiken, South Carolina, David Sepowski, Jr., of Rensselaer, New York, Patricia (Richard) Tsou of Ivoryton, and Stephen (Holly) Sepowski of Chester. He was adored by his grandchildren Matthew (Tracy) Barry, Meghan (Justin) Bissonnette, Devon (Robert) LaMere, Derek DeMio, Christopher and Kyle Ruthstrom and James (Maryann) and Charles Estabrook. His great-grandchildren will grow up hearing stories (some true!) of their legendary great-grandfather: Tynan and Emerson Bissonnette, Fiona and Simon Barry, Julian LaMere, and Robert and Natalie Estabrook. He is survived by his loving sister Patricia Sepowski (Ralph Edison) and his beloved pug Tallulah. Dave wanted special mention to be made of Richard Paterson, whom he thought of as a bonus son; Keith Laflair, one of his favorite cousins/neighbors who shared many adventures (most legal!); Jeremiah LaMark, his sometimes partner in crime; and Leo Rudewicz, his best friend for 85 years.

The family would like to especially remember the following for their kindness and support: his wonderful visiting nurse, Pat Wilcox, as well as many others from VNA Community Healthcare and Hospice who cared for him over the years; his compassionate doctor Louise Maloney, and the staff of Aaron Manor Rehabilitation Center in Chester for their loving care during Dave’s final days.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Robinson, Wright, & Weymer Funeral Home, in Centerbrook. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Joseph’s Church, Middlesex Turnpike, Chester. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery directly following Mass. To share a memory, send a condolence to the family, or view the obituary, please visit www.rwwfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chester Hose Company, Inc., PO Box 214, Chester, CT 06412.