Financier-cum-Congressman John Cypress, no stranger to our headlines of late, was dealt a tragic blow yesterday evening, just days before his Senate bid in next week’s elections. The Congressman’s wife, Marilyn Cypress was discovered dead by her son, Ethan, a fifteen year-old sophomore at Fairfield Private Prep School. The State Coroner’s office has yet to release the cause of death, but local police assure that no foul play is suspected.

The loss could not have come at a worse time for the Congressman as this will undoubtedly bring his Senate campaign to a grinding halt, and at this time all polls declare his race with Senate encumbant Jeff Mitchell as "too close to call."

Mrs. Cypress, a longtime supporter of the arts, is best remembered for her…

HARTFORD ADVOCATE

Nov. 5, 1992

Congressman John Cypress won his Senate bid by a landslide yesterday, despite his five-day absence from the campaign trail. The Senator-elect withdrew from the public eye after his wife’s sudden demise on October 30. Perhaps the public sympathy for this tragic loss contributed to Cypress unseating encumbant, Jeff Mitchell, in a race that, prior to the tragedy, was considered too close to call.

"What a welcome surprise," said Cypress in his acceptance speech. "I’m sure my wife would have been please…"

Sixteen year-old champion downhill skier and Senator’s son, Ethan Cypress withdrew his bid for the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer. Had Cypress attended, he would have been one of the youngest athletes ever to compete in the event.

Asked why he was withdrawing, Cypress replied, "My coach and I both agree that it’s a little soon. I’ll have a much better shot at Nagano in ’98."

Undoubtedly, part of his lack of "readiness" could be contributed to the loss of his mother last fall. Cypress was reportedly treated for depression at that time and seemed to have lost interest in his sport entirely…

Mar. 11, 1995

"I’m extremely proud," said Senator John Cypress when asked about his baby girl. And he certainly has cause to be. Fifteen year-old, Mara Cypress, just signed one of the most promising modeling contracts ever afforded an untested talent.

"Mara possesses classic beauty," says agent Katherine Simone. "I promise her she will not wont for work..."

It’s unsure if Ethan Cypress makes more headlines for his athletic prowess, his socialite lifestyle or because he’s the son of Senior Connecticut Senator John Cypress, but one thing is for certain, and that is he’s getting to Nagano on his own.

The twenty-year old downhill skier withdrew from the ’94 Winter Olympics at Lillehammer even though he was the U.S. favorite at the time.

"I didn’t want to compete for headlines," he jokes, referring the the Harding/Kerrigan debacle of that year.

Although the joke may seem timely, it’s wellknown that his father and his trainer, Tim Jullner, coerced him to withdraw against his wishes. At sixteen, he had to respect his father’s wishes, but now at twenty, he’s not taking his lead from anyone. Firing Jullner and hiring two-time medalist Bjornn Holgstadd, his form appears tighter than ever. And at the qualifying rounds, Cypress broke all downhill records, reaching a speed of nearly 90 miles per hour.

"I feel really confident about my chances," Cypress says.

Understatement seems to be a trademark of the Senator’s son. Seen at a recent Hollywood premiere on the arm of Sarah Michelle Gellar he merely says, "Yeah, she’s a good-looking girl."

We met with Cypress at his father’s estate in Greenwich…