ENFIELD, CT — Richard "Dick" Cressotti, a U.S. Marine Corps who served the town of Enfield as an elected official on the town council and then as a state representative, passed away Saturday morning. He was 81.

Cressotti, a lifelong Democrat, served on the Enfield Town Council from 1971 to 1974, then challenged and defeated incumbent Republican Rosario Vella for the 59th District General Assembly seat. He did not seek re-election in 1976, and was succeeded by Bill Kiner, a longtime friend who held the seat for the next 16 years.

"I've known Dick for almost 50 years," Kiner said Monday morning. "Dick loved people and they loved him. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for a friend or family. Dick was an incredibly upbeat person. His glass was never half full or half empty - it was always full. He touched the lives of so many people - we are all better off because of that. Dick will be missed."