Jeffrey F. Ruzicka, 68, husband of Pamela (Barnard) Ruzicka, died Sunday, June 6, 2010, after a brief illness. His life was marked by a distinguished career in banking, community service, zest for life, and devotion to family.
Jeffrey was born in Illinois in 1942, the son of James and Blanca (Friser) Ruzicka. After graduating from Colgate College in 1964, he served in the United States Army from 1965 through 1968, becoming a lieutenant. After graduating from business school, he became a banker, first with Northern Trust Company (1970-90), where he was general manager of the London Branch from 1980 to 1984 and head of international operations from 1984 to 1990. He then was a managing director of State Street Corp. and State Street Bank Europe Ltd. (1990-2003), as well as being a long-time member of the Advisory Board of the European Capital Markets Institute.
For many years, starting in 1991, Jeffrey was a trustee of the Woolnoth Society Charitable Trust, which encourages charitable activities by American and British businessmen working in the financial sector in the City of London. In recent years, Jeffrey served as a trustee and officer of the Salt Marsh Opera, becoming its President last year.
He loved everything about his life in Stonington - working with the opera company; sailing, shooting, golf; gardening (he was a member of The Garden Conservancy's Society of Fellows); and making and building strong friendships. Above all, he loved his family - his wife Pamela, whom he married in 1968; his daughters Alexa Pearson and Christina Ruzicka; his son-in-law Dan Pearson; and his granddaughter Isla Pearson. Less than a month ago, after he had learned of the illness that was to lead to his death, he said "There's nothing about my life that I don't like."
There will be a private family burial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeffrey's memory may be made to Salt Marsh Opera, P.O. 227, Stonington CT 06378.
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