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John Rutledge Obituary
Before founding Action Airlines in 1979, John flew for and filled many roles at Pilgrim Airlines. John began flying as a teen and ultimately logged more than 40,000 flight hours. In 2009, John was honored with the Wright Brothers Award for obtaining 50 years of incident-free flying.
John's wife, Ginger; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Patty and Bill Eade of Charlestown, R.I., and Linda and Peter Simone of Ocala, Fla.; his half sister, Terry Rutledge, of Mystic, Conn.; his sister-in-law, Marcia Moore, of East Haddam and many nieces and nephews, his extended family and many friends will celebrate John's life on Feb. 26, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Groton Airport, Columbia Air Service, 175 Tower Ave. Groton, Conn.
The family requests no flowers. To honor John's love of his cats, please donate to Forgotten Felines, Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413.
Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook. To share a memory or condolence with John's family, please visit us at www.rwwfh.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Rutledge
Donna Lund
April 6, 2012
Ginger,
I was devastated to hear of John's passing. He gave me wings when I doubted my own ability to fly. All who knew John are saddened by his passing, but better people for having known him. John was an incredible man and awe inspiring pilot. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am so sorry for your loss.
stephen burdick
March 1, 2012
I grew up with "Jonny" at the Westerly airport. He "worked" at Howard aviation,and I "worked" for Travel air service. (competitores) many vivid memories!!!
Marjie Booth
March 1, 2012
That was the Loveliest Memorial Service I have ever attended! The main speaker was so eloquent. I loved John's terrific sense of humor. I never had to work for him so I always got the fun side of Rutledge. Ginger I didn't get a chance to speak to you but, I am so very sorry for your astronomical loss. My name is Marjie and I worked for a short time at NewAir and Pilgrim. John was so LOVED as you can tell by Feb 26th in the Columbia Hanger. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Marjie Booth
Blake Allison
February 25, 2012
Ginger - so many memories, from sailing, to the crazy models of airplane/sailboat, to the cats - if anyone could ever herd cats it was John! Our love to you, Blake and Lindsay
Dorothy "Carat" Aiksnoras-Vallee
February 23, 2012
Ginger,
I will never forget John. He opened the door to a job in aviation at Pilgrim and my career took off from there. He was well liked.
Carol Fairfield
February 21, 2012
Words cannot relay the admiration and trust we always put in our pilot, John, during those early years of CeTAP in the early 80's.....John was always there with a prank or a thrill just to make sure we were fully awake during those early morning flights a hundred miles offshore. When the fly-boys and I are together, stories of John fill our evenings with much laughter....no one will ever be trusted more than our pilot John. Those were some fabulous times spent with one of the finest pilots on the planet, and I feel privileged to have been able to share those years with John. My heart goes out to you, Ginger.....may faith and memories flood you with joy today and always.
Carol Fairfield
Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program flier
jennifer pierre
February 19, 2012
Ginger, I never got the pleasure of meeting you. But john I had the pleasure of working with at the groton airport while I was at avis for 6 years and he was always the most pleasant and interesting person to talk to. Anyone that knew him will miss him . I know I will . I am sorry for your loss
Lindsay Meadows
February 18, 2012
Ginger,
I'm so sorry for your loss. You and Rutledge have been like family to me for as long as I have been alive. I have so many wonderful memories at your house and in Venice with Rutledge, it's hard to imagine that we won't have the chance to see him again while on this earth. He was truly an amazing person and an amazing friend. Loved by all!!!
Lauren Meadows
February 17, 2012
Ginger: I don't need to tell you how much you and John have always meant to me. Anytime your friendship with someone is 30-40 years old, it goes without saying. Love to you and I am heartbroken that I can't be there with you on the 26th. The world has lost an awesome man, you've lost an awesome husband and Lindsay and I have lost an awesome friend. Love, Laury
Nancy Brescia
February 16, 2012
Ginger,
I am sorry for your loss and hope that you find some solace in your many friends out there...especially your CISM family........
~Nancy Brescia
Judith Wilcox
February 16, 2012
Ginger, I was so sorry to hear of your husband's sudden passing. You and the rest of the family have been in my daily thoughts and prayers. May you all be surrounded in Light and Love as you move through this difficult time. I am seeing John surrounded in a blazing light with angel wings brushing him from all sides. Judith Wilcox (North Branford, CT)
Cherrie Lewis
February 16, 2012
Ginger,
I don't even know where to begin. John was a good friend and will be missed so very very much.
Cherrie Lewis
Cherie, Mark and Elizabeth Guimond
February 16, 2012
Ginger,
He now flies with the wings of an angel, soaring into God's own presence in heaven above.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
CT CISM Team
February 16, 2012
Ginger,
Thank you for sharing Rutledge with us these so many years. He will be sorely missed.
Pat Macek
February 16, 2012
Ginger, I was so sorry to see John's name in the obituarys. I worked at the airport for a short while and truly enjoyed stopping at Johns to visit and LEARN! I arrived at the airport with NO knowledge of flying, airports or anything connected with flying. I could always count on John or any of his employees to help me with my ignorance of such things. The world has surley lost a great, great man.
Sandy Marsh
February 15, 2012
Dear Ginger:
Fred and I were sorry to hear of Rutledge's passing. You were both so kind to us when coming to visit Nikki Jay and our granddaughter Avery and letting us stay in your spare room. Thank you both for your kindness and I know Rutledge is in good hands.
Pete & Linda Simone
February 15, 2012
Ginger,
We ar so sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful guy and will truly be missed. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We will see you soon at John's Celebration Of His Life. Love you.
John enjoying a meal at Cobalt Coast with dive friends after a great dive Grand Cayman
Lisa Cassel-Patrick
February 15, 2012
MaryAnn Griswold
February 14, 2012
Dearest Ginger,
There are no words to express what is in my heart. It seems like yesterday when I met him in 1967. He was a true friend to Sherm and to me. He is now in GOD's hands keeping company with the other aviators. He will be missed by many. All my love.
John Sulima
February 14, 2012
Terry, I'm so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nikki Cahill
February 14, 2012
I am lost for words during this time of sorrow. You will forever be in our hearts Uncle John. Aunt Ginger - I'm so sorry.
Martin Weiss
February 14, 2012
Dear Ginger, I never met you but was honored to have known John through my recent membership in the Quiet Birdmen. Guys like John and my fellow members - with thousands of hours and even more stories - made me wonder how the heck I was ever deemed worthy enough to be in their awesome presence. Well he made me welcome and always had a smile and a joke and a tale to tell. He was always bugging me to fly my Cub down to Goodspeed and a few times I did but there was nobody home...I will forever regret not having had the chance to fly with him and learn from him. His loss will be heartfelt. My wife and I were misinformed about the ceremony and drove down to Groton this past Sunday! I am sure John would say, "Hell Kid, you made the effort at least!". Unfortunately we will be away on the actual date of the remembrance but will send our thoughts to GON. God bless.
February 14, 2012
Ginger,
So sorry to hear about John. Both Ed and I send sincere condolences. Hold on to the good memories, of which there are many, and know that you have far more friends than you know.
Cath and Ed Goetz (Haddam, CT)
Wendy Zecchino
February 14, 2012
Terry, so very sorry for your loss. You and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Harvey Redak
February 14, 2012
Ginger, many of my fondest memories of all the years are those of you and Rutledge. I am so fortunate to have spent a few of those 40k hours next to him.
Bob Turilli
February 14, 2012
Ginger - My sympathy to you. I too am saddened by his passing. We were roommates in the '70s, and I enjoyed his friendliness.
Tony Kelly
February 14, 2012
John, we have alot of history between us. Because of radiation treatments I'm taking, I will not be able to be where I so want to be. The LOVE and Respect I have for you will be everlasting!! We will see eachother again on the next go-round. Of that I am sure! For now, GOD BLESS and know that I am there with you this day. I will miss YOU very much!! Your friend Forever, TONY KELLY
Arthur Webber
February 14, 2012
Music, when soft voices die
Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory—
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
The Poetry Foundation
Matt & Dot Cashman
February 14, 2012
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Andrew J Tierney
February 14, 2012
Big John was a great man, He will be missed by many
GON Quiet Birdmen
February 14, 2012
Bonded together we men who fly
Who loop and roll across the sky
Diving low, then …quick…dart into a cloud
Climbing high, engines screaming loud.
Relishing each moment as we look down
On all God's creatures who remain earth-bound
Soaring like eagles above the earth
Our planes filled with the sound of our mirth.
Flight, indeed, is our true infatuation
The joy, the freedom, the ultimate passion
Then returning to earth to “hangar fly”
With our “soul brothers” who so love the sky.
And when it is time for a Quiet Birdman's final quest
Fellow companions salute one who has now “Gone West”
Savoring the memories, their thoughts growing mellow
For they all truly loved this lost “Goodfellow”.
Suzanne Rathbun
February 14, 2012
My Dear Ginger, I am deeply saddened by the passing of John. As you well know, he was the one who turned me on to flying and eventually getting my pilot's license. Besides that, he also was a great mentor/teacher, as were you teaching me work ethics before they became the norm. He will truly be missed. And yet another piece of my heart has been broken. Please know we are here for you if you need us.
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