Ralph J. Levesque

Ralph Levesque 83, of Higganum, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024 from complications of prostate cancer at Middlesex Hospital.

He was a graduate of Staples High School in Westport, received his BA from University of Bridgeport and Masters from Southern Connecticut University. He was an art teacher in public and private schools in Connecticut, gravitating towards teaching children with emotional issues until his retirement.

He remained an artist his entire life, carving out his career as an abstract artist and sculptor in a region of traditional landscape painters. He had a talent for collecting a few pieces of scrap metal and instantly creating a whimsical animal or figure. His paintings reflected his journeys of the subconscious, calling himself a “visual poet”. His works are in collections across the US and Canada with many solo and group shows over the decades. He was a member of Silvermine Art Guild, Essex, Westport, Old Lyme and Norwich Art societies, among others.

He could regale a dinner crowd with stories of his cross country travels, his times with Carol King, Michael Douglas, or being mistaken for Sonny Bono. He could just as readily converse about metaphysics, cars or aliens.

He loved road trips, walking at the Meadows, spanakopita, a trip to the Book Barn and a good vodka tonic. He always had an open heart and ear for his friends and could spend hours with them philosophizing about art.

He leaves his partner Lorraine Riess with tender memories, a studio filled with wonderful art, and a stiff pile of paint-stained shirts.

He is predeceased by parents Raoul and Dina (Moss) Levesque, son Jon, and late wife Harriet Haase. He is survived by brother Ernest of Redding, CT, son Kent, daughter-in-law Angela and grandson Luke of Gilbert, Arizona, granddaughter Danielle Levesque-Lewis, husband Kyle and two great grandsons Hudson and Carter of Vacaville, CA.

Heartfelt thanks to the nurses and doctors at Middlesex Hospital. Memorial contributions may be made to the Haddam Food Pantry. Cremation and memorial services will be privately held.