Ross W. Hand    November 26, 1931 – March 12, 2021

Having fought cancer for the past three years, long time Wilton resident and personality, Ross Hand, died surrounded by family, in his home, on Friday, March 12, 2021.

Ross was born in 1931 in Newburgh, NY, the son of James and Edna Watson Hand.  Having spent much of his younger years moving between the Midwest and New England, Ross entered the U.S. Army in 1954 and served his country in Germany until 1956.   After returning from Europe, Ross began his long residency in Wilton, CT.  The Hand family settled and developed 8 acres on Indian Hill Road.  While riding and grooming horses at the Wilton Riding Club, Ross met his future wife, Paula DeCicco.   They were married in 1961, and Ross began his first work career at Wilton Motors Chevrolet, first as a mechanic and eventually he retired as Vice President of Service.   For forty years, Ross was oft recognized as a valuable member of the Wilton Chevrolet team, receiving several national service awards and becoming a go-to advisor for many local Chevrolet owners.  Many Wilton residents fondly recall seeing Ross around town, as he began his second work career as a Driver for the Wilton Parks & Recreation's Dial-a-Ride program.  For 18 years, he enabled many Wilton Seniors to tend to all types of appointments. During both these stints, Ross became acquainted with many Wilton residents.  He was known for his level-headed approach to service and his unshakably friendly demeanor.

During his hours off the clock, Ross pursued many passions, the first of which was always Aviation.   Ross frequented New England and National aviation museum, airshows, vintage fly-in's, gliding encamp­ments, private airports, and he collected a wide range of aviation memorabilia.  Ross also loved cars and was a founding member of the Connecticut Chapter of the Corvair Society of America.  He was a beloved Wilton Soccer Association coach, a popular auto mechanics instructor for Wilton Continuing Education, and a passionate supporter of the Wilton Library.   Ross's creativity was often on display as his "Wings" series of vintage airplane paintings adorned the Library gallery.

During his later years, Ross loved sorting and pricing the Transportation section at the Wilton Library's used book sale.  He was especially proud that his two sons successfully carried out his two favorite pursuits with Timothy working in Publishing and Christopher becoming a Pilot and corporate aviation executive.  While Ross loved Wilton, his favorite get-away was to Cape May, NJ, where the Hands also have deep roots.  He was at home in the water, whether swimming, fishing, boating, body surfing or simply wading in the Atlantic Ocean.  He and Paula enjoyed long walks on the beach.

Ross was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, and loved his family above all else.  He is survived by Paula, his wife, sons Timothy and Christopher; brother, Peter; grandchildren, Olivia, Ethan and Ava and many beloved nieces and nephews.

There will be calling hours at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown on Friday, March 26, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.   A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 30 Church Street, Georgetown on Saturday March 27 at 11:00 a.m.  Due to Covid-19 in-person attendance at Mass will be limited to family.  Mass will be followed by interment at Hillside Cemetery, Wilton, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made to your choice of the following:

Sacred Heart Church, P.O. Box 388, Georgetown, CT 06829; Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810; New England Air Museum, 36 Perimeter Rd., Windsor Locks, CT 06096.

Online condolences may be left online at Bouton Funeral Home https://www.boutonfuneralhome.com