Former Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff Dies

WESTPORT, CT — Gordon Joseloff, who served as Westport's First Selectman from 2005 to 2013, has died, announced current First Selectman Jim Marpe. Joseloff was 75.

"It is with great sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Gordon Joseloff, former Westport First Selectman and my immediate predecessor," Marpe said. "Gordon’s commitment and dedication to Westport, his hometown, was exemplified in so many ways."

As a teenage, Joseloff was a reporter was for the Westport Town Crier, and he founded the Staples High School radio station, WWPT.

Joseloff also served as a member of the Representative Town Meeting, and was its moderator for a decade.

As First Selectman, Marpe said that Joseloff "exemplified qualities of leadership, transparency, non-partisanship and accountability" while in office. In total, Joseloff served in public office in Westport for about 22 years.

"During his tenure as First Selectman, he faced a variety of crises that included the Great Recession of 2008 – 09, and a series of major disruptive storms including Hurricane Irene and Super Storm Sandy, where he led the community’s efforts to recover and to emerge even stronger," Marpe said. "His creation of WestportNow established the national standard for transparent, internet-based community journalism nearly 20 years ago, and it remains a 'go to' source of fact-based information in Westport."

Prior to becoming First Selectman, Joseloff was a journalist by trade, covering international locations for CBS News and United Press International.

WestportNow writes that for the past three years, Joseloff had been battling myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer.

"Under Gordon’s leadership as First Selectman, the construction of the new Levitt Pavilion was begun," Marpe said. "He oversaw the initial reforms of the Town’s pension plans which have helped to assure Westport’s long-term financial stability. And throughout his public service career, he exemplified a non-partisan approach to governing our community.

"On a personal note, he worked directly with me to assure a smooth transition of responsibility when I was elected to the office of First Selectman following his announced retirement. Throughout my term in office, I regularly sought his perspective and advice on a number of key issues. I always found his perspective invaluable."

Gov. Ned Lamont has given his permission for Westport to lower its flags to half-staff for the remainder of the week in honor of Gordon Joseloff, said Marpe, who made the request.

"On behalf of all Westporters, I want to express the Town’s sincere condolences to his daughter, Anne-Liisa, and his son, Ben, and to his grandchildren who I know he adored," Marpe added. "We will all miss Gordon, and we thank him for his friendship and his service to Westport."