BRUSH, ABBOTT PURDY, II Abbott Purdy Brush, II of Woodbridge, CT, died Sept. 6th, 2016. He was born in Greenwich, CT on August 22nd, 1952, to Joan Penovi and the late Abbott Hodgman Brush. Abbott is a direct descendent of Benjamin Brush, one of the early founders of Greenwich, arriving in 1725. He graduated from GHS in 1970 and received his BS ‘74 and MAF ‘76 in Environmental and Computer Science from Yale University. While at Yale he met the late Wanda Peterson. Always together, they married and made their home in Woodbridge. They shared an insatiable appetite for learning, lively debate, and travel. Creative and highly energetic, Abbott was both a leader and an innovator in the field of computer science. As a Senior Technologist and IT Architect he was renown for writing impeccable code and inventive algorithms. During his tenure at IBM he co-authored 12 US patent offerings for virtual reality/3D graphics. A natural athlete all his life, he excelled at swimming, crew and ultimately, windsurfing. He could be found windsurfing in the New Haven harbor in the middle of winter, having a blast in even the most extreme conditions. Abbott adored adventure, and taking epic hikes in the surrounding woods with his best dog Goldie. Generous and kind, he sought to care for people less fortunate than himself within his community. He is survived by his mother Joan Potter of Greenwich, CT, and sisters; Joan Brush of Providence, RI and Suzanne Brush of Stamford, CT. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 12th, 2016, 11:00am at the United Church of Christ, 5 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, CT. Friends are welcome. Internment will be private.

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Published by The New Haven Register from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for ABBOTT BRUSH

Sponsored by NHRegister.com.

13 Entries

Joel Flagler

July 12, 2025

Abbott was a close friend when we were at Yale together 1974-76 and we both lived in Bethany CT. I spent many evenings with Abbott and Wanda, enjoying music and lots of laughs. He was a brilliant techno mind and had a wonderful smile and long blond hair. He and Wanda were soul mates and I was so happy to be a close friend. Saw him a few times at Yale Computer Center in the late 70's before I moved to California. I googled him today on a lark; with a heavy heart to learn of his passing--and Wanda's passing too. Thank you for being my friend and inspiring me in may ways. I got to visit his Mom in Greenwich a time or two when we went there for dinner. I will not forget you Abbott. With love.....

Bob Schmitz

October 31, 2020

Abbott was a high school classmate of mine at Greenwich High. He and I were both on the swim team, he a backstroker and me a breaststroker. He was a smart, kind, gentle person with a ready smile and a helping hand. I am sorry that he is gone. Bob Schmitz

Malcolm Dantzler

March 23, 2020

In my lifetime, I've never had a better friend or known a better person than Abbott. He had everything: brilliant, handsome, incredibly athletic, with quiet, incisive, and understated humor, but most importantly, he bore animosity to none and was a friend to all he met. I first met him in college, where his comradeship aided totally in my adjusting to an environment where I felt totally overwhelmed and inadequate to the brilliance around me. We rowed together and lived together, and when Wanda came along two years later, it soon seemed we had a perfect circle of friendship. We were boon companions and stayed close until the waning days of the 70s, but then time and distance led to our drifting apart. As the new century dawned I sought them on the internet, where I found Abbott had made great strides and many patents in representing and recreating the world in and on a computer, things useful to a host of purposes, probably from gaming to missile defense and to infinity and beyond, but he also had erased his tracks there after about the year 2000, no mean feat. I wanted to reignite the torch of amity with both of them, but my achievements in life have been meager by comparison, and even though I had their number and address, I hesitated to call or write. And time passed, like the drifting pages ripping off a calendar in an old movie.
So it was with great and heartbreaking sadness that on a whim, a few days ago, I again searched his name, and my search led me here. I thought such a great man would live far longer than I, and that he, and she, would be there to point me to a better day, or at least share their company with me, whenever I finally called upon them again. Only now I find I must mourn not just one, but two of the finest people this world has ever seen.
O Abbott!! O Wanda!! Here's hoping that across that River you have found Eternal Peace and happiness together. You were so brilliant, and beautiful, and just so alive; it seems impossible that this can be true. You made this world so bright, and we shall miss you each day until the time when perhaps we may share your joy again. May God bless you and keep you!!
Forever your friend! Malcolm

Jenise Wells

July 24, 2018

My Angel Forever❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Jenise Wells

July 24, 2018

My dearest Abbott, there's not a day that goes by that I don't miss you so very deeply. I've been heartbroken since 9/6/2016. You will always hold a special place in my heart, mind and soul. I often talk out loud to you as if you were sitting next to me... . I pray that you're Resting Well now❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Jenise Wells

October 26, 2017

I will love you until the day I see you again. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Urshula Turner

March 1, 2017

Abe such a wonderful friend and person that I will never forget. You loved life and was kind to everyone that you came into contact with. If more people had your values the world would be a much better place. May you rest in eternal paradise, and you will always have a special place in the hearts of your Detroit friends. Prayers of strength for your family whom you loved so much.

October 23, 2016

My condolances to Abbott's family. He was such a nice person; soft spoken and so intelligent. I always enjoyed talking to him about anything, but especially cars. I owned the car wash he brought his M 3 to. I will miss him and think of him often May he rest in peace

Thomas Coria
Branford act.

Jayne and Jim Miller-Moore

October 23, 2016

Abbott, our good friend......gone too soon. We are heartbroken. Happy trails young man, until we meet up again.

October 22, 2016

Dear Abby: Such a kind sole, you will be missed. Remember the days on Riversville/Cliffdale Rd as kids? So sad to hear the news - love to your family. Maybe I'll see you beautiful mom at Todd's point one of these days -

Billie Booth - friends since nursery school.

Mae Davis

October 20, 2016

Our deepest sympathy to the family. Times like these are very difficult but God promises that he will hear our cries for help. (Psalms 18:6)

October 20, 2016

Abbott,
One of my best friends growing up.
This farewell seems much too soon.
My heart goes out to your mother and sisters. I shall miss you. -- Greg Holch

Don Suojanen

October 20, 2016

I remember you from Glenville Elementary School we started out in the same class,sounds like you had a great life sorry it ended for you early it makes me reflect on my own life and how I could live mine better!

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