Residents were saddened this past week by the loss of one of Madison’s elder statesmen, Tom Rylander, who served for eight years as the town’s first selectman in the 1990s, overseeing several important town initiatives including the purchase of Rockland Preserve in 1997.

The town announced Rylander’s passing on Oct. 16, flying the flag at half-staff

State Representative Noreen Kokoruda (R-101), who served with Rylander on the Board of Selectmen, remembered him as a “stern” man who cared deeply about conservation in the town and fought to preserve Madison’s character as it grew.

“He had a vision, and he didn’t mind saying what he thought, and he didn’t mind working for stuff—he was a hard worker,” said Kokuruda.

Rylander spent much of his time in Florida during his later years, Kokoruda said, though she did her best to stay in touch. She remembered him as an avid golfer after his retirement.

As a four-term first selectman, Rylander’s legacy was in preservation, in terms of both matural environment and in residential and commercial development, Kokoruda said. She cited the Rockland Preserve purchase, as well as efforts to protect and maintain Bauer Park, as Rylander’s greatest gifts to the town.

“He just was concerned about the quality of what this community would look like, and I think that was his vision...Rockland was, to me one of his biggest achievements,” she said.

Kokoruda also recalled Rylander’s sense of humor that underscored a strong commitment to his work. Without his dedication and advocacy, Madison would not be the place it is today, she said.

“He really liked preservation, it was a very important thing. He didn’t want to see Madison overbuilt,” Kokoruda said.