22 Facts About Lou Rell

Louis Robert Rell was an American aviator, commercial airline pilot, and veteran of the United States Navy.

Lou Rell served in the United States Navy as a pilot, stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.

Lou Rell flew electronic surveillance aircraft from US Naval aircraft carriers.

Lou Rell met his future wife, Jodi Rell, while she was a student at nearby Old Dominion University.

Jodi Lou Rell entered politics as a campaign worker for Rep.

Smith declined to seek re-election to a fifth term in the state House in 1984 and encouraged Jodi Lou Rell to run to succeed him.

Lou Rell took leaves of absence from the airline during busy legislative sessions.

Lou Rell soon launched a medical taxi business, which shuttled patients to medical appointments.

Lou Rell served as a Brookfield police commissioner, as well as a firefighter and former president of the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company.

Governor Jodi Rell was sworn in Governor of Connecticut following the resignation of her predecessor, John G Rowland, amid a federal corruption probe.

Lou Rell became one of just five First Gentlemen in the United States at the time.

Lou Rell often declined interviews, though he usually appeared at official events with the Governor.

However, Lou Rell played a key role behind-the-scenes as a political adviser to his wife's administration.

Lou Rell suffered from Barrett's Disease, a reflux disease which causes inflammation of the esophagus.

Lou Rell underwent surgery to remove a stage 1 cancerous growth from his esophagus in November 2007.

Lou Rell struck up discussions of his diagnosis with Connecticut House Speaker James Amann, who suffered from the same disease.

In 2008, Lou Rell fell suffered a health setback from an undisclosed illness, which caused Governor Rell to cancel plans to attend the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Lou Rell was reportedly disappointed with his inability to attend the convention, as he was a public supporter of Republican Sen.

Lou Rell volunteered with the New England Air Museum, focusing on the restoration of aircraft in the museum's collection.

Lou Rell attended the unveiling of his wife's official gubernatorial portrait at the Connecticut State Library in September 2013.

Lou Rell died from cancer at his home in Florida on March 22,2014, at the age of 73.

Lou Rell's funeral was held at the Brookfield Congregational Church in Brookfield, Connecticut, on March 29,2014.