State Rep. Kevin Ryan (D-Montville), who had served in the General Assembly for more than three decades, died Sunday, state and local officials announced.
Ryan was 73. A cause of death was not disclosed.
First elected to the legislature from the 139th House District — which includes Montville, Ledyard and part of Norwich — in 1993, Ryan had served on the Appropriations and Public Health committees since then.
His death was announced Monday morning in a Facebook post by the New London Democratic Town Committee.
“Connecticut lost a great public servant. Kevin Ryan passed away yesterday,” the post states.
At the time of his passing, Ryan was assistant deputy speaker, and also serving on the Environment and Regulations Review committees.
House Speaker Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas issued a joint statement, mourning Ryan as a “dear friend and colleague.”
They also said Ryan’s service extended beyond the state through his work with the Council of State Governments, of which he was a past chairman.
Gov. Ned Lamont directed the state flag to be lowered to half-staff in Ryan’s honor.
“Throughout my tenure as governor, Kevin has been one of the friendliest legislators that I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” Lamont said in a statement, adding that he is “going to miss his clever, sharp and humorous personality.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been set.
