David Rys

OXFORD – David J. Rys, 61, of Beverly Street, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susan G. (Barrie) Rys of Oxford; two daughters, Katie L. Anderson and her husband Randy, and Sarah J. Ruppar and her husband Timothy, all of Wethersfield, CT; two sisters, Patricia O’Donnell of Charlton and Maryellen Pugh of Flagstaff, AZ; a brother, Michael Rys of Windsor, CT; four grandchildren, Dylan Ruppar, Maysen Sandlin, Rylee Ruppar, and Samuel Sandlin, all of Wethersfield, CT; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins; and many close friends. He was born in Springfield, son of the late Henry S. and Dorothy M.A. (Olszta) Rys, was raised in Somers, CT, and lived in Woodstock, CT, for 24 years, before moving to Oxford 5 years ago. He graduated from Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson in 1973.

Mr. Rys was a tooling engineer at Essilor International/Gentex Optics in Dudley for 20 years. He enjoyed working on his cars, riding his Harley, NASCAR, traveling, camping, and was an avid Patriots fan. His family was the center of his life, and his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the Esophageal Support Group at Dana Farber in Milford. They would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Christopher Siedler and his staff at the Cancer Center at Harrington in Southbridge, for their exceptional care and friendship during his illness.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church, 70 Main St., Oxford. Those attending are respectfully requested to meet directly at the church. Burial will be private at a later date at West Cemetery in Somers, CT. Calling hours are Sunday, October 8, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Center at Harrington, 55 Sayles St., Southbridge, MA 01550.