Stuart Schloss

Stuart Schloss
February 27, 2024
Stuart Schloss, age 82, of Shelton, CT, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital, surrounded by his beloved family and closest friends. Stuart was born in Bridgeport, CT, to Ida and Sidney Schloss. When he was 14 years old, he decided he wanted to quit high school after he turned 16, in order to expand his father's single paint store into a number of chain stores. A few years later, Jack Botarro, Stuart's Industrial Arts teacher took the time to go to the store to talk Stuart into returning to school to get his GED. Stuart asked Jack what he wanted to buy, and he replied he was there only to talk to him about school. Stuart was so impressed Jack cared enough about him and his education that he returned to school to obtain his GED. Stuart continued a relationship with Jack throughout the years.
He married the love of his life, Gerri Ruben, on September 16, 1962. Stuart was the President and entrepreneur of Paint Products Company.
His volunteerism knew no bounds. Stuart helped founder Tony Forney establish the McGiveny Community Center in Bridgeport. He enjoyed working with the Bridgeport Youth at Risk program. When his daughters were young, he proudly served on the House Committee of Congregation B'nai Israel.
At Paint Products, he established the Good Guys club for neighborhood youth, to give them incentives to remain in school and inspire them to act in an upright manner. He remained friends with two of these now well-established grown men. They are so appreciative of Stuart's guidance and help during such a tender time in their lives.
In his retirement, he volunteered at Bridgeport Hospital for many years. He also guided potential business owners through a program at the University of Bridgeport.
Stuart had both the softest and largest heart. He helped countless people, both those he knew and just met, in the most generous and abundant ways. Ron Hall, who did not know him, precisely describes Stuart's personality in this quote: "Together we can change the world, just one random act of kindness at a time."
Stuart is survived by his devoted wife of almost 62 years, Gerri, his cherished daughters, Deborah Jill Schloss, son-in-law, Eljay Waldman, and Marcie Beth and Bruce Lipsey, treasured grandchildren, Adam, Priya, and Jared, his brother and sister-in-law, Freddy and Sue Ruben, and his uncle, Sheldon Elins. Stuart was also pre-deceased by his sister, Phyllis.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. from The Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, (friends are invited at 10:15 a.m.) with interment following at Loyalty Cemetery, 172 Burroughs Road in Fairfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation ( t2t.org ) or to a charity of one's choice. Shiva will be PRIVATE.