Mr. Christopher Leif Ruplin

Christopher Leif Ruplin, 56, of Port Jefferson, NY passed away Saturday September 16th at St. Charles Hospital, after an extended illness. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, traveled with his family to Stony Brook for elementary school (with a one-year interlude for fourth grade in Provence, France), attended Saint Paul Academy and Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson, enjoying an additional school year away in the tenth grade in Vienna, Austria.

Chris was known by family and friends as a passionate, adventurous person, always with stories to tell.  At age 11, Chris began taking classical violin lessons at Minneapolis’ McPhail Center for Music.  At age 16, he moved to Port Jefferson and reinvented his violin skills, busking in downtown Port or playing violin at the Port Jefferson Arts Festival. Throughout his life, he continued to jam in a variety of Long Island bands. He was known for his improvisational, expressive blue grass riffs, and he performed in bands like Peasant’s Harp, Nigel’s Acoustic Bridge, Stagecoach Junction, and his own band The Smokey Knoll Top Ramblers.

When Chris wasn’t playing music, he worked as an investment broker at US Sterling Capital Corp for 26 years. He joined the company as a founding member, after working for several years at American Capital Resources with his brother Ferdinand.  Excited by the opportunity, he encouraged his brother Timothy to join him.

Chris is preceded in death by his father Ferdinand Ruplin, survived by his mother Sarah Ruplin, daughters Amanda and Rebecca Ruplin, former wife and close friend Lisa Ruplin, siblings Ferdinand Ruplin, Warren Ruplin, Timothy Ruplin, Sarah Ruplin, half-brother Tom Steinmetz, step-mother Lois Ruplin, nephew, and many nieces.

Memorial Donations

In Memory of Christopher Leif Ruplin

Hope House Ministries

PO Box 358

Port Jefferson New York, 11777

 Service Information