WOODSTOCK, Conn. — Woodstock's First Selectman John "Jay" Swan has died, according to a statement on the town website that was posted Wednesday.
Swan, a Republican, won the open seat for the town's first selectman in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021 and 2023, according to the Norwich Bulletin.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of First Selectman Jay Swan," the town wrote in the post. "We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Jay exemplified service to his town and community and will be greatly missed. We have no other information at this time."
The Woodstock Town Hall was closed for the remainder of the day on Wednesday following the news of his passing.
Connecticut officials shared tributes and condolences to Swan's family on social media.
"Jay's years of service were a testament to the dedication he had to his town and community," the Connecticut Republican Party wrote on Facebook. "He will be dearly missed."
State Senator Jeff Gordon said in a Facebook post that he knew Swan for "many years," remembering his "community caring, hard work ethic, common sense thinking, and humor".
The Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association also expressed their condolences to the family of Swan on Facebook.
The WVFA wrote, "Jay was a proud and strong supporter of our volunteers. He assisted us in our community efforts on both a personal professional level. Not only is his loss as a friend devastating, his loss as our First Selectman and a valued member of our community will be felt by all."
Prior to becoming First Selectman, Swan said in a Facebook post from 2021 that he had 35 years of experience working in the Department of Developmental Services for Massachusetts and Connecticut, alongside being a senior instructor in "conservation, education and firearm safety" for the wildlife division of the Department of Environmental and Energy Protection and an NRA firearms safety instructor.
The June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation wrote that he was also the camp director from 1981-83, as well as a scoutmaster in Putnam for "many years."
"He was a friendly face at nearly every Camp Alumni Day," the reservation wrote on Facebook. "Jay was a good, dedicated public servant and lived the Scout Oath & Law."
In Putnam, Swan said he was also hired as an auxiliary police officer.
After retirement, he also served for many years as a constable for the Town of Woodstock and eventually became chief constable.
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