From Westportnow

A settlement has been reached in a wrongful death lawsuit filed after a former Westporter died almost three years ago when swept off Stew Leonard Sr.‘s boat by a 12-foot-high “rogue wave” in the Caribbean, according to published reports today.

The 70-foot Stew’s Special which was hit by a “rogue wave.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Attorneys representing Barbara Speranza, wife of Robert Speranza, told reporters a filing was made today in Bridgeport Superior Court to withdraw the suit but that they could not disclose the dollar amount of the settlement due to a confidentiality agreement, The Hour of Norwalk and Connecticut Post reported.

When the suit was filed two years ago, one of the attorneys, Joel T. Flaxon, said Barbara Speranza was seeking compensatory and punitive damages in the “millions of dollars.” (See WestportNow March 7, 2012)

Shortly after the Aug. 16, 2011 accident, Westporter Stew Leonard Jr. said that his family has been devastated by the loss of their longtime friend. “My father is in shock,” he said, “and I know Bob Speranza’s family is in shock.” (See WestportNow Aug. 19, 2011)

The suit named Leonard, his son, Thomas P. Leonard, and Carpe Diem Three, LLC, the company it said owns the Stew’s Special powerboat. It contended that reckless and negligent behavior at sea led to the untimely death of Speranza.

“During the voyage, the reckless operation of the vessel caused Robert Speranza to be violently tossed about inside the boat, inflicting severe head and spinal injuries, and then ejected from the craft into the Caribbean Sea, resulting in Robert’s death,” said a statement from Speranza’s attorneys.

Stew Leonard Jr., who was not on the boat, told WestportNow the day after the accident that the Leonards and Speranzas had been close family friends for more than 40 years. Over the years, Speranza, had undertaken many construction projects for the Leonards, he said, adding that his mother Marianne Leonard was also a close friend of Barbara Speranza.

Leonard, Jr. said the entire event brought back painful memories for him and his wife Kim of 1989 when their son Stew Leonard III, 2, drowned in a swimming pool while the family was vacationing in St. Maarten.

“This just brought all that back,” said Leonard Jr. who shortly after the drowning launched the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation.

He said that Speranza’s brother, Joe Speranza of Weston, “was the one whose shoulder I leaned on” after his son died.

“When I spoke to him the other day, he said now I have to lean on your shoulder,” Leonard, Jr. said.

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