Rudolph Esposito
Waterford — Rudolph Anthony “Rudy” Esposito, 89, of Waterford entered eternal life on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
He was born Oct. 1, 1926, in New London, the son of the late Salvatore and Rosaria (Yauilla) Esposito. He attended local schools, graduated from the former Chapman Technical High School, and earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial management from the University of Connecticut. He was united in marriage to the former Josephine Ywarsky, on Sept. 23, 1950, in St. John the Evangelist Church in Uncasville. Mrs. Esposito recently passed away on Feb. 8, 2016.
Rudy was an astute, hard-working businessman. His business career began in 1953 as owner of Rudy’s Flower Box on Ocean Avenue in New London. He operated the flower shop until 1963, when he built the Lamplighter Motel in Waterford. His business acumen, personality and seemingly unlimited energy led to the motel’s success, and within a few years he expanded the facility from 18 to 36 units. He owned the Lamplighter for 25 years, eventually selling it and retiring in 1988. While running the motel, he partnered with his son and purchased the Mystic & Shoreline Visitor Information Center in 1982, a business they owned until 1997.
Rudy was very active in numerous business and civic organizations. He served on the board of directors for the Connecticut Hotel-Motel Association and the Southeastern Connecticut Tourism District, and was a member of the Southeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Mystic & Shoreline Regional Tourism Council. Along with other representatives of local businesses and attractions, his efforts helped lead to an increase in funding for Connecticut’s tourism industry.
He was a member of the Sons of Italy and the Knights of Columbus Seaside Council No. 17, and was past president of the New London Lion’s Club and past chair of the Lions Club’s Annual Flower Show. He was also the district chairman for the National Cancer Crusade in 1966, and while serving in that role was able to meet one of his heroes: Gregory Peck.
His hobbies included painting and playing the organ, but his three passions were skiing, sailing and golf. He began skiing during the 1950s, was one of the original members of the Thames Ski Club, and helped to construct the club’s lodge at Pico Peak in Vermont. In 1971, he and Josephine built their own ski house at Okemo Mountain, where he skied with his children, grandchildren and friends until he was 80 years old. He and Josie enjoyed their sailboats and were members of the Thames Yacht Club and the Cruising Club during the 1980s and ’90s. In his retirement, he took up golf and was a member of the New London Country Club.
Rudy is survived by his son, Gregory Esposito of Gales Ferry, his wife, Louise, and their sons, Michael and Keith; and by his daughter, Roxane Drost of Elmira, N.Y., her husband, Bruce, and their children, Sean and Serena.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Louis and Joseph; his sister, Philomena Faria; and his beloved wife, Josephine.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Atria Crossroads Place and Fairview Oddfellows Home for their extraordinary kindness and compassion when caring for Rudy as well as all of us.
His family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. The funeral will assemble at 8 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. Joseph Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Parish Capital Campaign, 17 Squire St., New London, CT 06320, or to the Alzheimer’s Association – CT Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489-1058.