Greenwich Selectman Dave Theis Passes Away

Selectman Dave Theis, a staunch Greenwich Republican, died Tuesday evening after suffering cardiac arrest while working out at a local gym.

First Selectman Peter Tesei, while at Greenwich Hospital, confirmed that his fellow Republican passed away. An emotional Tesei, who has served on the Board of Selectmen with Theis since 2009, said, “Unfortunately, sadly, it’s true.”

In a statement, released at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Tesei and Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo said, “It is with profound sadness that we announced the untimely passing of our beloved Selectman, friend and colleague David N. Theis.”

Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo, who was at Greenwich Hospital with Tesei, said, “ I’m numb. I’m nauseous.”

According to Tesei, Theis was working out at the gym in Riverside when he suffered cardiac arrest. “He just fell to the floor,” Tesei said.

Tesei said Tuesday night, “Dave believed passionately in the town. We asked that the flags be put back on the Mianus River Bridge in his memory. We’ll be setting up some memorial at Town Hall.”

Theis’s patriotism was so heart-felt, that he was instrumental in the annual flag display on the Mianus River Bridge on East Putnam Avenue. He worked with the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol to erect American flags on the bridge every year on Memorial Day, flags that would remain until Veterans Day.

Late Tuesday, Tesei said, “Nobody was better than him with ahis intergetity and loyalty beyond which was beyond reproach. I lost a dear friend, both personally to me and my family. It just won’t be the same” on the Board of Selectmen.

Tesei added, “He was genuine. He was real. He believed in doing what was right to for the town.”

Theis was a perennial fixture at local charity events, along with his long-time partner Kerrin Coyle. And at those events, Theis’s sense of humor was evident. At the annual Cos cob Chili Cook-Off, that benefits the Neighbor to Neighbor food pantry in 2012, Theis arrived with a fire extinguisher.

“I came prepared,” a chuckling Theis said. When he announced he would seek reelection in 2001, Theis said in an interview, “I feel I have a lot to offer … institutional knowledge and the ability to solve problems and answer questions that may arise.” He added, “I feel very comfortable working with and running with (First Selectman) Peter (Tesei).”

The 65-year-old lifelong Cos Cob resident was soft-spoken but always had his constituents’ concerns at heart, whether it was a parking issue, a road closing or storm-related power outages. Having attended hundreds of meetings over the years, I can recall Theis would always ask about the impact upon residents.

Former Democratic Selectman Penny Monahan, who works part-time in the selectmen’s office, said Tuesday night, “He was a true townie, and really loyal to the residents of this town. He will be deeply missed. We are all in shock. He was such a real gentleman and a wonderful person who was all for this town. He was all about Greenwich.”

When asked about his running with Tesei and Marzullo as his Democratic board member, Theis said, “We have a unique chemistry.” He added, “We are all like-minded and respect one another’s view. We agree to disagree at times and that has made us a very cohesive body, very productive,” Theis explained as he sat in his office decorated with photos documenting his long-time involvement with the Old Timers Athletic Association.

Those mementoes complimented his office with photos of Republican icons President Ronald Reagan and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

In an interview with Greenwich Patch, Theis said his interest in politics began when he was a child. He served as president of the Cos Cob Republican Club. “That was my first foray into politics. I remember as a child attending the annual clambakes with my parents. It was there I met Jim and Joe Branca, then Senator (Prescott) Bush and Florence Finney, one of the first women who make a mark in town politics,” Theis said at the time.

His greatest accomplishment, said Theis, “is bringing an understanding of the real needs of the community … I know my way around the community and the people who can help accomplish goals.”

Tesei and Marzullo said in their statement, “Over the past five years we have been honored to serve on the Board of Selectmen with Dave who brought integrity, wisdom, leadership and humor to every aspect of town government. There was no better patner to serve with and to call your friend. Our prayers are with Dave’s family, especially his partner of many years, Kerrin Coyle and his sisters Ginny and Nancy.”

In a statement late Tuesday, Greenwich Republican Town Committee Chair Jim Campbell said, “We are devastated at the news that we have lost our beloved Dave Theis. He was one of the great Selectmen because he connected with the people of Greenwich. No one cared more about this community, or found a way to touch more lives than Dave.”

Campbell added, “As a Republican leader, Dave stood up for the values he believed in, and he loved this town and our country and all that it stands for more than anyone I know. He leaves behind a legacy of caring, and honor, and heart-felt patriotism. There is an enormous void in Greenwich tonight with his passing.”

The flags at all town buildings will be flown at half-staff until Theis is laid to rest.

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Patch file photos: Dave Theis and his partner Kerrin Coyle.

Photo 4b credit: John Ferris Robben via Town of Greenwich.