A Tribute to Greenwich's Fallen Selectman

For nearly an hour, colleagues, town employees and friends paid tribute to the much-respected and beloved Greenwich Selectman Dave Theis at Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

It was the first meeting of 2015 for the board and the first since the unexpected death of Theis on Dec. 23. A vase filled with American flags marked the seat that Theis occupied during his five-year tenure as selectman.

Before the meeting, fellow Republican, First Selectman Peter Tesei and Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo lowered the Town of Greenwich flag from a flagpole in front of Town Hall. With the assistance of Greenwich Police Lt. Kraig Gray, they raised a new town flag. During the tribute attended by nearly 100, including Theis’s family and his long-time partner Kerrin Coyle, Tesei said the town flag that had been used during the five years Theis was selectman could be signed anyone wanting to leave a message for his family. The flag is to be presented to his family Saturday, Jan. 10 during the public memorial service that’s scheduled for 11 a.m. at Christ Church Greenwich, Tesei said.

During Thursday’s tribute, Tesei said, “Dave was best known as a selectman. The definition of selectman is excellent, rare, superior, first-class, first-rate, top notch. I was blessed to have served with him on this board. He was a dear friend.”

Tesei added, “Dave was a part of my family — a part of our holidays, birthdays, special events.”

Later Theis’s sister Ginny thanked the assembly and prompted laughter when she told Tesei, “One of my lifelong questions has been answered. I always wondered where he was for Christmas dinner.”

Marzullo, who was first elected to the board with Theis in 2009, described his colleague as “patriotic, humble and very funny.” He added, “It has been an honor of a lifetime serving alongside Dave Theis. We had mutual respect and admiration for one another.”

Among the more than a dozen speakers to pay tribute to Theis were several former selectmen and first selectmen.

Former First Selectman Jim Lash recalled campaigning with Theis at church fairs. “People would just appear (and crowd around) … Dave knew about their family, their jobs, what was going on with them. He wasn’t going through the motions … there aren’t a lot of people like that.”

Former First Selectman John Margenot also recalled Theis’s people skills and ability to seemingly know someone wherever he went. “I call him the C-man — committed, conscientious and caring,” Margenot said.

Former Democratic Selectman Penny Monahan and a fellow lifelong Greenwich resident, said, “He was a true ‘townie.’ He loved our town. He is truly missed by all of us. Rest in peace my friend.”

An emotional Transportation Association of Greenwich President Jim Boutelle said he had an overwhelming response of shock expressed by Greenwich Country Day School alumni upon learning of the death of Theis who was the school’s athletic director decades ago. And, Boutelle said, he found that using a Disney comparison helped his daughter understand Theis’s passing.

“He’s like a Cheshire cat — he may have disappeared but his smile will always be there.”

Photo 1: from left, Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei next to the vase of flags, Selectman Drew Marzullo, Tesei’s executive aide Michael Rosen and Greenwich Town Administrator John Crary.

Photo 2: The Jan. 8 gathering at Greenwich Town Hall.

Photo 3: Greenwich Police Lt. Kraig Gray, Selectman Drew Marzullo and First Selectman Peter Tesei hoist a new town flag in honor of late Selectman Dave Theis.

Photo 4: from left, former Selectman Peter Crumbine and former First Selectman John Margenot sign the town flag.

Photo 5: Kerrin Coyle, Theis’s longtime partner, addresses the gathering.

Photo 6: the Dave Theis memorial in the lobby of Greenwich Town Hall.

Photo 7: the new town flag flies in memory of Selectman Dave Theis Jan. 8, 2015.

Photo credits: Barbara Heins.

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