Richard Isaac Wrubel, 85, of Middletown, CT, passed away on December 23, 2020. Born on March 30, 1935, to Arthur M. and Mildred S. Wrubel, he lived in Middletown for 85 years. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 1957 and was a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. A talented clarinet player, Richard led a top traveling Dixieland college band, The Quaker City Six. He then went into the US Army, finishing as a staff Sergeant. Richard joined Wrubel’s department stores-a business started by his grandfather Isaac Wrubel in 1899, and ultimately opened his own retail store in 1976, called Richard Wrubel. He retired from retail in 1992, going into the residential real estate business where he acquired a portfolio of condominiums throughout Middlesex County. Being civic-minded, he remained an active participant in the Downtown Improvement Committee for Middletown Chamber of Commerce. He was also Vice President of the Middletown Concert Association. Throughout his life Richard was an exceptional and avid musician. He generously donated his time playing for local audiences around the area. In his later years, his daily piano playing brought him and his listeners much joy. He was a true champion of Middletown, CT. Richard loved his family more than anything and was truly the family historian, recounting tales from the time his grandfather arrived here in 1898, perpetuating the Wrubel legacy. He was a die-hard Red Sox fan throughout his life and was fortunate enough to attend the 2004 World Series to see them break their nearly 100-year curse. In later years, Richard organized a bi-weekly Friday lunch gathering with his best pals, called the ROMEOs – Retired Old Men Eating Out. Richard will be remembered for his optimism and generous spirit, his infectious laugh and wonderful sense of humor. In the words of his favorite composer George Gershwin, “The fundamental things apply, as time goes by…” Richard will sadly missed and always in the hearts of his loving wife of 56 years, Marcia, his daughter Susan, his son Arthur and daughter-in-law Melanie and their children Wesley and Ava, and his older sister Constance Carrigan of New Jersey. Due to current health concerns, the family held a private graveside service at the Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown on Sunday, December 27, 2020. The family will organize a memorial service in Richard’s honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name: Amazing Grace Food Pantry, SVD Middletown, Attn: Peter, PO Box 398, Middletown, CT 06457, The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund at Congregation Adath Israel, PO Box 337, Middletown, CT 06457, or Alzheimer’s Disease Research at the Mayo Clinic.