George “Doc” Gunther, who represented Shelton in the state legislature for 40 years, died Sunday. He was 92.
Gunther, a Stratford resident, died after a long battle with cancer, according to The Connecticut Post. The paper credited Gunther as the longest-serving lawmaker in state history.
Gov. Dannel Malloy issued a prepared statement Sunday offering condolences to Gunther’s family and commenting on his legacy:
“Doc Gunther served the citizens of Stratford and the state with an unwavering passion and commitment to public service,” Malloy said.
“Even if you didn’t agree with him, Senator Gunther was an independent thinker respected by his colleagues and constituents for fighting to protect our environment and preserve open space. His advocacy and service to our state will be remembered and will continue to benefit future generations.”
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal praised Gunther’s efforts to protect the Long Island Sound:
“Passionate, smart, and courageous for causes he championed, Doc Gunther was a fighter who readily put aside partisan differences for a larger public interest,” Blumenthal said in a prepared statement.
“He was an original and independent thinker. I valued his friendship and our work together in fighting to preserve Long Island Sound and protect the people of Connecticut. Doc could be unsparing in criticism, but also unstinting in compassion. My condolences go to his family.”
The Connecticut Post story on Gunther’s death focuses on Gunther’s strong sense of humor, described in the article as “Don Rickles-like.”
The Hartford Courant reflected on some of the reasons Gunther was often described as “colorful.”
“He was known for being an unpredictable and colorful character in Hartford. Gunther once pointed a rifle at former Lt. Gov. Eunice Groark during a gun-control debate on the Senate floor in the early 1990s,” the paper reported.
Gunther retired in 2006. He represented part of Seymour in addition to Shelton.
Click the video to see a brief report from WTNH.
