‘He brought joy’
Former Greenwich First Selectman Tom Ragland dies at 89
GREENWICH — Tom Ragland, who served two terms as the first selectman in Greenwich, died at age 89 on Tuesday.
He died at his home in Vero Beach, Fla., surrounded by his family.
Ragland was elected as first selectman in 1995 and served as head of the town until 1999. He was elected as a selectman in 1993, serving with longtime first selectman John Margenot. Ragland succeeded Margenot in 1995.
First Selectman Fred Camillo said Ragland was a “happy warrior” and that more people should adopt that attitude today.
“He was a proud Greenwich resident and a proud Republican,” Camillo said Thursday. “You could debate something and go out and have a beer later. He was that type of a guy.”
Nancy Burke, who managed Ragland’s campaign in 1994, said she was shocked to learn of her friend’s death.
“Anyone who knew and worked with Tom knew how hilarious, hardworking, high energy, creative and kind he was. When he moved to Florida, Tom kept up with family and friends and was a source of many email jokes either in Greenwich or in Florida,” she said in a statement. “He brought joy and encouragement into so many lives.”
Paula Belmont worked as an assistant to 10 different Greenwich selectmen over her 32-year-career at Town Hall.
In 2013, when she was retiring, she said Ragland was the funniest first selectman she served with.
“He was a very special first selectman, caring and giving, and good at the helm as first selectman,” she said at the time.
Ed Dadakis, a former chair of the Republican Town Committee, said Ragland was a true public servant.
“Tom Ragland was a great guy—funny, hard working and clearly loved Greenwich. His campaign slogan was ‘Team Greenwich’ and every day he was first selectman he lived that mantra delivering for the people of our town.”
His family had not publicly announced plans for a memorial service as of Thursday afternoon.