The Newtown Bee has been informed of the death of longtime Sandy Hook resident and former First Selectman Joseph Borst.

Joseph Edward Borst was born on July 17, 1927, in Jackson Heights, Queens, N.Y. He died March 31, 2020, at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shelton.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (Caron) Borst; as well as many children and grandchildren.

Mr Borst enlisted in the US Armed Forces at the age of 16. He finished training with the US Air Corps in August 1945 when he was 17, and was assigned to American-occupied Germany. He finished that tour in a city near Nuremberg, Germany, returned to the United States, and was discharged in 1947. He reenlisted for another tour five years later.

The Borsts were married on July 31, 1954. The newlyweds moved from New York to Newtown the following year. They purchased a home in Sandy Hook, the home where they raised their five children — Joe Jr, Liz, Michael, Jim, and Mary.

His federal service continued as a government contractor on projects that included the Titan and Minuteman Missles and the Hubbell Telescope, among many others.

Mr Borst almost immediately began his public service to Newtown, becoming a Justice of the Peace shortly after moving here. He was long involved in town governance including, but not limited to, the Planning & Zoning Committee, Legislative Council, and Board of Selectmen, culminating with his election as First Selectman in 2007.

Following his term as the town’s top official he remained active as part of the Sustainable Energy Commission and the Public Building & Site Commission. In 2016 Mr Borst was the first person to be named chairman emeritus of the latter town committee.

He was a longtime and active member of St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church.

Arrangements are in care of Honan Funeral Home, and will be announced shortly.

A reflection on his life will follow this announcement.