Arthur Rutchik

Rutchik, Arthur H.
Arthur H. Rutchik, 86, formerly of Norwich, CT and Delray Beach, FL, passed away on April 18, 2015, at his residence in the Solana Assisted Living Community in Olney, MD. Rutchik was the son of the late Elias and Annie Hertz Rutchik, and was pre-deceased by his bride of 52 years, the late Dorothy Cassin Rutchik. He is survived by his sons Stuart (Janet) of Germantown, MD and Jeffrey (Susan) of Mashpee, MA, who along with his grandchildren Evan (Kaylee), Marc, Benjamin, Robin and Becky were at his bedside with him for his final days. Known by many as Artie, he is survived by a brother Atty. Martin (Rona) Rutchik of Stonington, CT, his late wife's sister Charlotte Hilton of Brewster, MA, several cousins, nephews and nieces. Raised in the ethnic rich culture of Norwich's West Side, in the shadow of his grandfather Frank Hertz's Kosher Meat Market, Rutchik operated a chicken farm on the grounds of his mother's highly popular candy store and meat market. He attended the Elizabeth Street School in elementary years, and graduated in 1946 from the Norwich Free Academy, following which he attended University of Connecticut and Mitchell College. He then enlisted in the Army National Guard, with whom he was based in Fairbanks, Alaska as a medic assistant during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to Norwich as a wartime veteran, he went to work as a sales agent with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, where he advanced as the local agency's Assistant Manager. For a few years, Artie built a retail business in Norwich known as Railway Freight Salvage which allowed him to continue serving the diverse customer base he enjoyed his entire life. After the store was closed, he returned to Metropolitan and continued in the local community until retiring in 1994, after which he and his wife retired to Delray Beach, where he maintained permanent residence until January 2015. During his life, Art served his profession and community being a part of Kiwanis, Probus and Life Underwriters, where he was President of the New London County Life Underwriter's Association (1964-65). He was highly respected by friends, clients and colleagues alike. For most of his adult life Art, with his wife and children were congregants of Beth Jacob Synagogue. Funeral will be Wednesday April 22, 2015, at 1:00 pm at the Church & Allen Funeral Home, Sachem Street in Norwich, followed by internment at the Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery #3 in Preston. The family will observe one night of shiva locally 7:45-9:30 pm at the home of Martin & Rona Rutchik, 1 Griffen Drive, Stonington, CT.