PUDLIN, DAVID B.

Majority Leader the Hon. David B. Pudlin died suddenly in an accident in his home on Friday March 19. David was the son of Alvin and Rose (Delldonna) Pudlin. As Majority Leader of the CT House of Representatives, he succeeded in passing a 66% increase in Connecticut’s minimum wage. In his post-electoral career, he helped groups around the world nurture and grow democracy, increase literacy and expand equality for all people. He also relished his role as an elder statesman and progressive maven of the New Britain Democratic Party,

David deeply loved his hometown of New Britain, where he was born, had his bar mitzvah, and died. Although his career as a union organizer and then a leader of the National Council of State Legislators kept him frequently on the road, he rarely kept his residence anywhere else.

He was an odd and wonderful man and a gifted and enthusiastic storyteller. He could be both impossibly maddening and unrestrainedly kind, compassionate, generous and loving. His life was truly a blessing and he will be forever in our hearts.

David is survived by his wife and longtime companion, Elisabeth Nicholas, sons Samuel and Jacob and their mother Nancy Clark Otter, his brother Bennett Pudlin, sister-in-law Ann Judd, nephew Nathan Pudlin, his wife Rose Stimson Pudlin and their children, and his dearest niece, Rebecca.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at a safer time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the People’s Center of New Haven, 37 Howe Street, New Haven 06511