Obituary of Rufus Alfred Ayers III

Rufus Alfred Ayers III, of Newtown passed away on June 8, 2021, at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Ruth Ayers and was her north, south, east, and west. Rufus, known as “Rusty” to many, was born on August 14, 1946, in Meriden, Conn., to Rufus A. Ayers Jr. and Helen Ayers.

Rusty taught English at Broadview Middle School in Danbury for 40 years. He was a passionate teacher who loved puns, and he always ended the school week with a corny joke. He coached the JV soccer team and could be counted on to run every drill with the boys. Rusty was a drummer in the TK-5 Band as well as a driver’s ed instructor for over 25 years. He had extensive train collections and enjoyed building rock sculptures. He also loved hiking, traveling, yoga, and was an avid volunteer at a soup kitchen in Danbury. His love for nature and the outdoors led him to own many tractors and chop and stack wood for hours. He had an incredible work ethic and left an amazing legacy for his family and friends to remember him by.

Rusty was deeply spiritual, and his patience was legendary—he was truly a man for all seasons. He saw the good in every person he met, and so he leaves behind many friends all over the world. He felt his purpose here on Earth was to serve, help, guide, and be a caretaker of nature and family. His curiosity and energy were infectious.

He died peacefully with family and friends at his bedside. In addition to his wife, Ruth, Rusty will be sadly missed by his children: Meghan (William) Alexander of New York, Rufus (Nicole) A. Ayers IV of New York, Tyler (Jenn) Ayers of Arizona, Joshua (Jenn) Coughlin of New York, and Daniel (Mary) Coughlin of Pennsylvania; his sister Ahwren (Charles) Ayers of Washington; his grandchildren: Billy Alexander, Mackenzie Alexander, Dawson Ayers, Aidan Coughlin, Owen Coughlin, Claire Coughlin, Andrew Taylor, Sabrina Antonacci, and Shauna Ayers; his brother-in-law Robert (Ann) Repko; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends. He influenced and inspired all of us with his selflessness, kindness, and zest for life.

Rufus’s family would like to thank Dr. Zimmerman at Danbury Hospital for his warmth and compassion, along with all of the caregivers of the trauma and palliative teams, all of whom made a difference during a very difficult time. The family respectfully requests that you do not send flowers. Rufus would love donations in his memory to be made to Dorothy Day Hospitality House (11 Spring St., Danbury, CT, 06810, http://www.dorothydaydanbury.org). All services will be private and at the convenience of the family. If you would like to share a memory, please visit http://www.cornellmemorial.com.