Jon Bruce Ipe

Jon Bruce Ipe
Jon Bruce Ipe ("Bruce") died peacefully, with his family by his side, at his home in Wilton, Connecticut, on February 25, 2026.
Bruce was born on September 7, 1938, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Jessie and Ira Stuart Ipe. He grew up alongside his brother, David, in Youngstown during its years as a thriving steel town. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1956 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, in 1960. He then attended Cornell Law School, receiving his LL.B. in 1963.
Bruce began his legal career as a corporate lawyer in New York City. He joined Union Carbide in 1968 and later became part of the consumer products division that went on to become First Brands Corporation in 1986. Until his retirement in 1996, he served as General Counsel and Vice President of First Brands. Throughout his career, he was respected for his sound judgment, integrity, and steady leadership.
On April 25, 1970, Bruce married his wife, Ruth. Their marriage was marked by enduring partnership and devotion.
As an adult, he developed a deep love for skiing and sailing and he took great pleasure in wine, fine dining, classical music, and international travel. He was a longtime member of the Shore & Country Club in Norwalk and enjoyed sailing on Long Island Sound.
He also owned and renovated a historic barn in upstate New York, doing much of the work himself alongside his wife, Ruth. He took great pride in the project, and the place meant a great deal to him. In later years, he devoted significant time to researching and compiling detailed family histories and genealogies, preserving history for future generations.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Ruth; his son, Jason; his daughter-in-law, Julie Ipe; and his grandchildren, Eliza and Rachel Ipe. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his integrity, his quiet strength, and his dry sense of humor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.