Hugh Ripper Obituary

Hugh John Phillips Ripper, 95, died Jan. 7, 2012 with family by his side. He was the widower of Margaret Mary O'Brien, to whom he was married for 27 years. Mr. Ripper was born Nov. 21, 1916, to Stanley C. Ripper and Ella Joan Woods Ripper in Dorking, Surrey, England. His family immigrated to Canada in 1919 and shortly thereafter to the United States, where he became a citizen. Mr. Ripper married Margaret Mary O'Brien in Burlington, Vt., in 1940 and raised four children in Roxbury. In 1989, he moved to North Bridgton, Maine, where he spent most of his retirement years. He was a strong proponent of higher education and was instrumental in having his children graduate from college. In 1936, he bought a Grand Bank Dory and clammed the low tides and crabbed the high tides on the Massachusetts coast to raise money to pay for his university education. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont and a master's degree from the University of Connecticut. He became an expert and teacher of agricultural education and management at Woodbury and Trumbull High schools in Connecticut, and served as the director of the Ellis Clark Regional Vocational Agriculture School in Woodbury for several years. Upon his retirement in 1981, Mr. Ripper had devoted 30 years to teaching and supporting VoAg in the state and represented VoAg on the national level. As a young man, Mr. Ripper loved flying small aircraft and taught navigation to military pilots during World War II before joining the engineering department of Bell Aircraft. A Roxbury resident as of 1949, Mr. Ripper served numerous roles in town. Mr. Ripper is survived by his children and their spouses, Catherine and Robert Brooks, H. John Jr. and Lynne Ripper, Connie Ripper, and Deborah and Peter Brokofsky; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Also close to his heart, are Margaret, John, Jeff and Julia Dashuta, Kathy Reardon, Sarah, Sue and Scott Duncan, and the Premo family. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by sons James and Michael; three brothers; and two sisters. A memorial service will be held Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Roxbury. A private burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Roxbury, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife. Memorial donations may be made to the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department or the Roxbury Land Trust.

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Published by The News-Times on Jan. 11, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Hugh Ripper

5 Entries

Windy Haven Farm

Bruce Flood

February 10, 2012

To the family of Hugh Ripper I offer my sincere condolences for your loss. He was by far the best and most respected teacher I ever had (Vo-Ag 1958-62) and he had the greatest positive influence on me than anyone to date. My career path kept me out of agriculture but in 'retirement' I have gone back to (small scale) farming and I'm sure the "Wize old Owl" would approve. He remains a vivid, fond memory to me and I am sure he will be to you.

God bless Hugh Ripper and his Family!

Ann Young LaFiandra

January 13, 2012

Dear Kay, John and Debbie,
Your dad and our longtime neighbor Hugh found my house, not easily done pre-GPS, one beautiful Vermont day when he was in town looking for a classmate, Lucien Paquette. He had attended his UVM reunion and had missed Lucien so was trying to look him up in Middlebury. My husband Bob and I were sawing wood of a tree that had come down in the middle of the driveway, and this friendly face approached and broke into that famous broad smile when we recognized each other. We enjoyed a lovely lunch on the porch and caught up on lots of Roxbury news. My parents were still alive and enjoying life in NC, where Hugh had visited them, so for a brief moment I was back in Roxbury again, with all of you, your mom and dad, and Wiggy next door.
I thought of Hugh often while teaching English in a vocational school, including many forestry and ag students, appreciating more fully his lifelong commitment to vocational education.
My heartfelt condolences to all of you.

January 12, 2012

Mr. Ripper was the best teacher I ever had. I graduated from Woodbury High School in 1961. Virtually everything I did in high school I owe to his encouragement and persistent prodding - from joining the national honor society to running for student council and state FFA officer. He gave a shy teenager from a poor family hope and confidence to go on to college and figure out how to suceed at whatever he tried. I have thought of Mr. Ripper's words through years and continue to do so today. He was my hero. Thank you for sharing him with so many of us!
Sincerely,
Russ Bradford - Orting, Washington

Lucy Young

January 11, 2012

Hugh was a wonderful neighbor to us in Roxbury. I remember him from my earliest childhood memories on South Street. He was always chipper and positive, evidently the secret to a long and happy life!
God bless your family and may you keep his spirit alive in your hearts.

Barbara Miller

January 11, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this very sad time. Jim and I were in the same class all the way through school. I am only sorry that I am not in Connecticut to attend the funeral.

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