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Leon Paul Rudewicz, Jr., 88, of Chester, passed away peacefully July 26 at home, surrounded by family, following a long illness. Leo was born in Chester on Jan. 15, 1932, to Leon Paul Rudewicz, Sr., and Bertha L. Malkowski, who were both born and raised in Poland.

Leo leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Emma Ellenore “Emmy” Rudewicz (née David); sister Frances Elizabeth Pitts of Clinton; children Gary M. Rudewicz of Hobe Sound, Florida, and Lynne Clark, husband Franklin, of Naples, Florida; granddaughters Crystal Lilavois, husband Patrick, of Irma, South Carolina, and Jessica Becker, husband Andrew, of Chester; great-grandchildren Lily, Jade, Miko, and Harper; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He also leaves Emmy’s children Christine Ann Nelson, fiancé Mark Reese Kibbe, of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts; and David Carl Nelson of East Haddam.

Leo was predeceased by his parents; siblings Helena, Leon Boleslaw “Bennie,” Charlotte “Lottie” Bloch, Theodore, Henry Karol, Jean Kathryn Randazzo, Rudolph Felix, and Helen Elizabeth Traskos; son Leon Paul “Lee” Rudewicz III; and Emmy’s daughter Deborah Lynn Nelson-Robbins. Leo was also predeceased by his best friend of 85 years and general partner in crime, David John Sepowski of Chester; they notoriously gained the apt nicknames of “Butch and Sundance.”

Before and after proudly serving in the Army, from age 14 Leo worked at and retired from C.J. Bates & Son, Inc. of Chester.

Leo was an avid sportsman and enjoyed playing golf and bowling, fishing, boating, and camping. He was best known for becoming a legendary player with the Deep River Horseshoe Club, where his 6 foot, 5 inch height and especially large hands were highly advantageous in dominating the sport that he loved.

Memorial donations may be made in Leo’s memory to VNA Community Healthcare and Hospice, 753 Boston Post Rd., Guilford, CT 06437-2749, or Chester Hose Company, PO Box 214, Chester, CT 06412-0214.

Leo was privately interred with Full Military Honors at Fountain Hill Cemetery, Deep River.

To share a memory of Leo or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements were in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.