Obituary: Norman J. Ruest, 80, of Naugatuck

NAUGATUCK – Mr. Norman J. Ruest, 80, of Lincoln Street, Naugatuck passed away Monday at Glendale Health Center after a brief illness.  He was the husband of Helen (Kurylak) Ruest.

Mr. Ruest was born in Brunswick, ME on April 23, 1932, the son of the late Alfred and Donalda (Pelletier) Ruest.  He was a resident of Naugatuck for 59 years and an Army veteran serving during the Korean War where he received a Purple Heart.  He retired after many years from Local Steamfitter Union 777 and also worked for M.J. Daly.  He was a member of Holy Saviour Polish National Catholic Church, the American Legion Post 17 serving as Past Commander, the Disabled American Veterans, the Forty and Eight Organization and past member of the Polish American Club.  He was an avid UConn Basketball fan and enjoyed cooking, fishing, hunting, and golfing; but especially spending time with his loving family.

Besides his wife of 59 years, he leaves his son, Rick Ruest of Naugatuck; two daughters, Laurie Rogers and her husband David of Naugatuck, the Honorable Pamela Ruest of State College, PA; his sister, Helen Sawyer and her husband Thomas of Brunswick, ME; two granddaughters, Elena and Kayla Rogers; two nephews, Norman and Michael Thibeault.

The family would like to thank the staff of Glendale Health Care Center for the compassionate care given to Norman.

His funeral will be held on Friday, June 8 at 9:15am from the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck to Holy Saviour Polish National Catholic Church for services at 10am.  Burial with military honors will follow in Holy SaviourCemetery, New Haven Road, Naugatuck.  Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5-8pm.  Members of the Naugatuck Veteran's Council will meet at the funeral home will meet at 7pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Saviour Church, 118 Prospect Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 or to Smilow Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708.  To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com