Selectman Dies After Battle With Cancer

Selectman Ralph A. Bowley passed away tonight in Carolton Chronic Convalescent Hospital after battling cancer.

Bowley, a Republican, had been a selectman since November 2007, when he was the running mate of Republican first selectman candidate John Nelson.

Bowley, plain-spoken as both a candidate and selectman, was involved in town business as recently as last week when the Board of Selectmen reviewed and voted on the proposed 2010-11 town budget. Bowley, past president of Bowley-Moore Appraisal Centre in Bridgeport, was too ill to attend the meeting, but he participated by telephone, made comments and voted on the proposed budget before it was sent onto the Board of Finance.

Bowley, a real estate appraiser since 1980, was interested in running for first selectman before he became ill, according to members of the town's Republican Party. He had run for state representative in the 132nd state House District in 2008, but lost to Thomas Drew, the Democratic incumbent, 55 percent to 45 percent.

Reached by telephone, James Millington, former chairman of the Republican Town Committee and the majority leader on the Representative Town Meeting, said Bowley would be missed.

"I've known Ralph for a long time, and he always provided me with amazing advice and guidance as I tried to move forward through politics. He was an amazing person and an awesome dad. That's probably his greatest accomplishment," Millington said.

First Selectman Ken Flatto said tonight that he and Selectman Sherri Steeneck were mourning Bowley's passing. "It's really, really hard. He was really a good person to work with - cerebral, and he cared so much about the town...I'm really upset; we're really just trying to grapple with it," Flatto said. "He wanted to keep going to the last minute. He gave it the best fight he could."

Flatto said his "best prayers and wishes go out to Ralph's family."

"Even though we were in different parties, I feel when it came to Board of Selectmen business, he's been a consummate selectman and a pleasure to work with," Flatto added.

Bowley is the second selectman to pass away since the 2007 election. Denise Dougiello, a Democrat who was Flatto's running mate in the November 2007 municipal election, passed away in July 2008.