Wayne C Ripka

Wayne C. Ripka, known affectionately as "Rip", age 76, of Oakville died peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at the West Haven VA Hospital surrounded by his family, with his loving wife Karen by his side. Wayne was Born in Chester, PA on August 24, 1948 to the late Charles E. Ripka, III and the late Marion A. (Ferguson) Ripka of Bridgeport, Ct.
He was a graduate of UCONN, and attained his M.B.A. at University of New Haven. Rip proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Following his service, he was an engineer at Sikorsky Aircraft, where he worked on the Black Hawk helicopter. He also worked as an engineer for several other companies until his retirement. Later in life he was a sales associate of Bob's Discount Furniture and LazyBoy. Rip was a man with many facets, he was intelligent and quick witted, but reserved. Once you got to know him you saw how funny and charismatic he was. Rip loved old Hollywood movies and westerns, and would reference some of his favorites regularly. He loved architecture and classic cars, and had dreamed of restoring a classic car of his own one day. He was a caring and loyal husband, devoted step-father, brother, uncle and friend. Rip will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and selflessness, and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Survivors include his wife Karen Naudus Ripka, 3 stepchildren, Deanna Naudus Bennett (Kevin), Joseph Naudus (Ruthe), and Jonathan Naudus (Tammi), two brothers, Charles E. Ripka, IV and his wife, Janet of Stratford, and Jon N. Ripka and his wife Laurene Ripka Stratford, one sister Sandra L. (Ripka) Ciambriello and her husband, Frank of Trumbull, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may visit Carpino Funeral Home, 750 Main Street South, Southbury, CT, on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. A Celebration of Life service will follow calling hours at 7pm on Friday, in the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will take place Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10:00 am, at CT State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT. Attendees are asked to meet directly at the cemetery Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks you to consider a donation in Rip's name to either CT Cat Connection, 40 Stevens Mill Rd, Windsor, CT 06095, online at https://www.ctcatconnection.org/donations, or to the Furry Friends Foster and Rescue, Inc., PO Box 388, Milford CT 06460, online at https://www.furryfriendsct.org/donate. Both rescue organizations were dear to his heart. The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury is honored to have been entrusted with the arrangements. For directions, or to leave a message of remembrance for Wayne's family, please visit www.carpinocares.com.