Condolence Letter on Selectman's Passing

The following letter was received by Fairfield Patch on Sunday in reaction to the death of Fairfield Selectman Ralph Bowley Saturday night.

Dear Editor:

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn Fairfield Selectman Ralph Bowley's passing. Ralph loved Fairfield, and Fairfield loved him and he served her with tremendous pride and honor.

Ralph was many things - he was optimistic, honest, compassionate, funny, smart and humble. People aspired to be like him. He loved his family and friends dearly and he held them close. He treated individuals with deep respect and kindness and went out of his way for so many. He volunteered his time for numerous organizations and was a very active member of his church. He did things for altruistic reasons, not for recognition or to receive accolades from others. Ralph Bowley lived the old adage that deeds are better than words.

He was the most decent man you'd ever hope to meet. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word - a gentle man. In politics, we remember him as an individual who championed common-sense principles but it is his giving heart that we will miss. Ralph was always the first one to reach out to someone or to offer his assistance or time. He was a wise teacher and he showed others the virtue of public service.

I had the opportunity to work with Ralph when he ran for Selectman back in 2007 and then again in 2008, when he ran for State Representative. He was always the same person when you saw him - he greeted you with a warm smile and immediately asked how you were and asked about your family.

Years earlier, I first met Ralph during the Parks and Recreation summer softball league and my team played against his daughter Shannon's team which he had coached. Just as he was in politics, in softball, Ralph was fair, thoughtful, and at times, unabashedly competitive yet always graceful in both victory and in defeat.

Ralph Bowley will be missed, and his memory is a blessing. We are all richer for knowing him.

Sincerely,

Alexis Harrison

Fairfield, CT