Iriwn Donenfeld: giant in comic industry. Westport Historical Society photo Irwin Donenfeld, one of the longest-serving members of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) but better known outside of his hometown as a giant in the comic book industry, died Monday night at Norwalk Hospital. He was 78.

His wife, Carole, said he had been in ill-health for some time. Donenfeld was forced to retire from the RTM in 2003 after 22 years because of health problems. Only two others in the legislative body’s 55-year history had served the same period or longer.

“The town has lost a treasure,” said Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell. “He always had Westport’s interests at heart. He kept his sense of humor and on many occasions brought discussions back to the right perspective. He will be missed.”

Gordon Joseloff, Moderator of the RTM (and editor and publisher of WestportNow), said as longtime chair of the RTM’s Public Protection Committee, Donenfeld had left Westport a much safer place.

Westporter Irwin Donenfeld, who died Monday night at the age of 78, was best known to his neighbors as a longtime town legislator. But his notoriety outside of Westport was as a giant in the comic book industry. He was the son of Harry Donenfeld, founder of DC Comics, and later became editor and publisher there, overseeing Superman and other super heroes. Donenfeld often boasted that he was the first kid in the country to see a Superman comic. He is shown visiting a Westport Historical Society summer camp for youngsters in 2002. Private funeral services will be held Thursday with a town memorial service in January. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Historical Society photo

Irwin Donenfeld, a 22-year veteran of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) who retired from the legislative body in 2003, died Monday night at Norwalk Hospital. He was 78 and had been in ill health for some time. First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell called him “a true Westport treasure” and ordered town flags lowered in his honor. They are pictured together last January. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo