It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of former Westport First Selectman John Kemish on April 25 at the age of 93. John served three 2-year terms as Westport's First Selectman from 1967 to 1973.
Prior to his election as First Selectman, John served as the town’s first professional Controller (now the Finance Director), where he improved the town’s credit rating from A to Aaa. As Controller, he played a pivotal role in the purchase of Longshore Country Club for the town under then First Selectman Herb Baldwin.
As First Selectman, John played a major role in the Town’s campaign to save Cockenoe Island from United Illuminating Company’s plans to erect a nuclear power plant at that offshore site. As most are aware, under John’s leadership, the agreement to sell Cockenoe Island to the Town and eliminate the plans for the power plant proved successful. The Town owes John a debt of gratitude, along with many others involved in that environmental fight to save the natural beauty and landscape of that island over 50 years ago,
According to Woody Klein in his book, Westport Connecticut: The Story of a New England Town’s Rise to Prominence, John is credited with the “acquisition of the Wakeman Farm as open space; he led the town’s effort to acquire the Nike Site on Bayberry Lane for the Westport-Weston Health District and Rolnick Observatory; he was responsible for the acquisition of the North Avenue Nike Site, providing additional land adjacent to the Staples High School property, (which became Bedford Middle School); he established the first major town beautification program by creating the Beautification Committee; and he played a role in the creation of the Transit District and the subsequent introduction of the Minnybus.” He also played an important role in the development of the original Levitt Pavilion.
On behalf of the Town of Westport, I want to express my sincere condolences to his wife, Gloria, his sons, James and Steven, and his entire family.