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Southern Connecticut State University

RICHARD AYERS Obituary

AYERS, RICHARD BYALY Richard Byaly Ayers, 11/22/25, passed quietly on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at 8:30 PM. A long-time resident of The Greens in Branford, Ct., Richard spent his last five years at Lockwood Lodge and Masonicare nursing home in Newtown, Ct., where he was both loved and well-cared for. Richard was born at Danbury Hospital, the son of Rufus A. Ayers Sr. and Florence Kathryn (Metz) Ayers of Redding, Ct. The family moved to Stratford 10 years later, where Richard graduated high school. He then attended Southern Connecticut State Teachers College, after which Richard spent several years teaching in Connecticut. After six years of teaching in Long Beach, California, Richard returned to Connecticut to teach English at Amity High School in Woodbridge, where he eventually became the department head until his retirement in 1985. Because Richard loved literature, theater, and the arts, he traveled to London, England, five times to study and enjoy this rich heritage, whose influence spilled over into his classroom. Richard had a way of combining his knowledge with a unique, dead-pan sense of humor to deliver his message to his beloved students. Richard is predeceased by his sister, Florence Kathryn McQuade; and brothers, Rufus A. Ayers Jr. and Walter Ayers. Richard is survived by nieces Patty (Ayers) Pavlick (David), of Woodbury; Joan (Ayers) Birks (Albert), of Corinth, Miss., and Gailyn Ahwren Ayers (Charles), of Ferndale, Wa.; and Nephew Rufus A. Ayers III (Ruth Ann) of Newtown. Grandnieces and -nephews include Meghan (Ayers) Alexander, Rufus A. Ayers IV, Tyler Ayers, Todd Pavlick, Mark Pavlick, Carl Birks, and Albert Birks. Other friends and family include Bruce Graham and Father Ken Thomas, both of New Haven; Gail (Ayers) Perinea (Bill), Watertown; Neil and Sharon Lynch of Farmington, and children Chandra and Christopher; and Susan and David Rood of Branford, and children Owen, Kristin, Asa, and Ian. Funeral service will be held at Christ Church, 84 Broadway, New Haven, Ct. 06511 on May 24 at 2:00 PM. Father Joe Britton will celebrate the mass. A reception will take place next door after the service. In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations to the community Soup Kitchen At Christ Church or the Alzheimer’s Association from you in Richard’s name would be welcome.

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Published by The New Haven Register from May 15 to May 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD AYERS

22 Entries

Jud Petrie Amity '67'

June 10, 2025

So many years later I wondered about many people, and Mr. Ayers was the first person I Googled. So many stories. After reading out of a book he would whip his glasses off, which we called the Clark Kent maneuver. I painted a smooth river rock with florescent green paint and gave him the 'kryptonite'. I saw him at my 10 year reunion and he said that he used it for a paperweight and left it for his successor when he retired. He would feign innocence, so I made it my job to make him blush, which he did like a thermometer. I even used to 'cut' lunch and spend that time in his classroom. I learned so much from him, probably the best teacher I ever had. RIP.

Nancy Moule

February 25, 2024

I had Mr. Ayers as my homeroom teacher in my senior year at Amity a distinguished teacher and very polite. I used to take the attendance cards down to the office for him.
So sorry for your loss.
Respectfully.
Nancy Raccuia Moule
Class of 1974

Larry Neary

May 9, 2020

A wonderful, kind and dedicated teacher. I remember him well. Larry Neary. Amity Class of 64.

Healing Gardens

Ahwren Ayers

April 5, 2015

Thank you all for sharing your connection with my uncle. He was a wonderful man, the kindness and graciousness ran in the family. My brother Rusty, who took such wonderful care of our uncle in his later years, inherited his flare for teaching English, and Rusty's great humor and wit came from both our uncle and our father, Rufus. All three wonderful men, leaving wonderful legacies. Thank you all for being in my life and showing me how humanity can shine.

Roberta Malone Snow

December 18, 2014

Both my husband and I were students of his in the early 1970s. He was an excellent teacher. We fondly remember his kindness and sense of humor. Hi trademark "Hi Ho" still rings in our ears. :) To his family - you were blessed with a wonderful man.

John Miller

August 17, 2014

For all the joy and wonder you brought to life, thank you!

Another "64"

May 24, 2014

I was in Mr. Ayers' very first Amity "English 1" class, first day, first period. He distinguiished himself immediately with his gentlemanliness and excellent droll humor. Never a bad moment, never an unkind word...so important for us just learning to find our way. It was often a pleasure to meet Mr. Ayers in the neighborhood near to ChristChurch. Despite the passing years, this wonderful man hadn't changed a bit.

May 21, 2014

I knew Richard later in his life. I am one of the many caring CNA's who took care of him at Lockwood Lodge. Richard, although a bit older when he was at Lockwood still had that gentle way about him and one could tell he was a very gentle and intelligent man in his younger years.I had many great conversations with him and could tell he was a man who traveled and was very intelligent. I enjoyed reading all the entries about him. This gave me more background as to what a wonderful person he was when younger and how he continued to be that same person through his later years. He was a pleasure to care for.

May 21, 2014

A true gentleman and a scholar. I had him in English my junior year and he was the faculty advisor to the yearbook for many years. He was a great teacher; witty, insightful and humorous. As the yearbook advisor, he gave us the freedom to create and was entirely too confident that we would make our production deadlines. He never seemed to get upset with anyone or anything. HiHo!

Peter Grudberg

May 21, 2014

Such a great teacher and wonderful human being.

Class of 1976

May 19, 2014

Mr. Ayers was a beautiful human being, a true gentle man, and an awesome teacher. I loved every moment in his classroom! Rest in peace and I know the angels will enjoy your lessons. You made a difference in this world and I thank you for everything.

Marie Lillis & family

May 17, 2014

Our deepest sympathies to Richards family. He was very faithful, constantly helping our brother and brother in law, Anthony Grignano, thru his many years of sickness and disablement. We will always remember and appreciate him for that. He was a wonderful person. On his last day before moving from Branford he told us he was moving but didn't know where. Over the years we tried to find him but were unsuccessful. Rest in Peace Richard. You're now home with your God.

Donna Mascagna-De Sousa

May 16, 2014

Reminiscing about Amity High with my family (class of '71), I told them about the wonderful way Mr. Ayers had of making English literature exciting. When a phone call came during his class, we would invariably say "It's Jane" (as in Jane Eyre). His amused patience with this constantly repeated joke just endured him to us even more. I am so grateful he was my teacher. My sympathy to his family.

Paul Hayslett

May 16, 2014

One of my very favorite teachers ever and a wonderful human being. It was a privilege to have known him and a gift to have been one of his students.

Maria (Savo) McNally, Class of 1980

May 16, 2014

I was in Mr. Ayers' English class junior year, and truly he was one of the best teachers I ever had. Intelligent, witty, knowledgeable, kind; you could tell he had great regard for his students and loved teaching them. I am so very sorry to hear that he passed away, but glad that he spent his last years receiving the loving care he deserved.

Chi Chi De Caro

May 16, 2014

One of my favorite teachers at Amity. He was such a gentleman and so kind. Through the years, whenever someone mentioned his class, I would always smile. Rest in peace Mr. Ayers. Class of '64.

June Lesnick-Sturtz

May 16, 2014

He was my senior English teacher. I often remembered his wry wit and gentle manner as I stood in front of my own classes years later. Oh, "shucky wiz" and "hecky darn"' he will be well remembered and missed. Class of 1971

May 16, 2014

Great teacher, I enjoyed his sense of humor and encouragement while I was a student '80

Susan Class of "64"

May 16, 2014

Mr. Ayers was my english teacher at Amity and the entire class loved him.
I was so glad when back in the 90's I
bumped into him walking on Chapel Street near High Street. He looked
exactly the same and was so friendly and nice. RIP

Irene Jecusco

May 16, 2014

Mr. Ayers was my English teacher at Amity H.S. in the early 60's. He was the epitome of a great teacher who engaged and inspired his students with his sense of humor and love of literature and language. It was a privilege to have known him.

david kaiser

May 15, 2014

mr. ayers was my teacher at scsc for a literature class. we also hung out a bit with bob and jenifer mcquade. he and i liked early music. i thought he was a cool guy.

larry neary

May 15, 2014

A student and a fan. You helped so many of us when we were young. '64

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