Raymond N. Fox of Deerfield Beach and Lantana, Fla., a former Ridgefield selectman who retired to Florida and became a celebrated senior swimmer, died on Monday, May 26. He was 94 years old. 

Mr. Fox was a retired attorney who received his degree in law in 1931 and his L.L.M. degree in 1934 from St. John's University School of Law in New York. A Ridgefielder from 1955 until 1979, Mr. Fox was an elected to the Board of Selectmen as a Republican in the mid-1970s. He served while Democrat Louis J. Fossi was first selectman and was sometimes criticized by Republicans for voting too often with Mr. Fossi on issues. He would respond that he always voted in the best interests of the town, not by party lines. 

Mr. Fox had also served as a justice of the peace here and had been active in the Lions Club. He was also chairman of the publications committee that produced Heritage '76, the town's 200-page salute to the nation's bicentennial. He and his wife Ruth lived on Rita Road and were both active in the Fox Hill Lake Association. Mrs. Fox died in 1995. 

In Florida, when he had lived for 24 years, Mr. Fox had volunteered as chief executive officer of an Alzheimer's day care center, was active in the Lions Club, was an instructor for AARP 55/above driving school, and served on the advisory board of the North Broward Hospital. However, it was his swimming prowess that gained him considerable notoriety, even a picture on the front page of the Sunday New York Times several years ago. "When I was in Ridgefield, I enjoyed swimming," Mr. Fox told The Press in 1997, recalling regularly "breaking the ice on April 1 and swimming until Nov. 1." Florida, he said, "is very conducive to swimming. When I came down here I found this beautiful pool and started with lap swimming."

 He eventually worked his way up to a mile a day. At the age of 86 he was a gold medallist in the one-mile ocean swim sponsored by the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale. At the age of 87, he won two gold medals in the South Florida Senior Games, in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, and a silver in the 200-yard freestyle. Between 1993 and 1997, he won 10 gold medals in the games. What kept him so young? he was asked at the age of 88. "Having a sense of humor and a good attitude," he said. "Plus, I exercise every day."

 Mr. Fox continued to receive The Ridgefield Press until 2001 when, because of failing eyesight, he had to cancel his subscription. "The paper gave me pleasant memories of my days up on Rita Road," he wrote. "I enjoyed reading of the progress the town has made."

 He is survived by his son, Donald Fox of Midlothian, Ill., seven grandsons, three great-granddaughters, nephews Alan Seiler, Louis William Spiegel and longtime dear friend Anne Friedman. A memorial service was conducted at Riverside Gordon Memorial in Delray Beach on May 28. Arrangements were handled by Menorah Chapels, Deerfield Beach.