Millard Prisant, a leading force in the historic preservation movement in the Roslyn area, died last Wednesday in his Roslyn Harbor home. He was 68.

An engineer-physicist by training, Mr. Prisant moved to Roslyn Harbor with his family in 1986. After doing much personal renovation on "Clifton," his historic landmark home in that village, Mr. Prisant became involved in the already-burgeoning historic preservation community in Roslyn. He became president of the Roslyn Landmark Society in 1995, following the death of Dr. Roger Gerry, who along with his wife, Peggy, was the most important figure in the historic preservation movement.

Mr. Prisant served in that role for a year. He also served as president of the Roslyn Preservation Landmark Corp., as a member and later chairman of the Roslyn Harbor Planning Board, and along with his wife, Carol, as village historian for Roslyn Harbor. He was appointed to the Planning Board in 1992 and started serving as chairman two years later. He began his tenure as village co-historian in 1993.

Roslyn Harbor Mayor Gerson Strassberg especially remembered Mr. Prisant helping with the development of Harbor Hills, a nine-acre site in the village. He also was active in listing homes in Roslyn Harbor for designation in state and national historic registers.

"No finer man ever served the village," Mayor Strassberg said. "He was a gentleman, he was intelligent, and he was easy to work with. The entire village mourns his passing."

Officers and trustees of the Roslyn Landmark Society issued a statement, praising Mr. Prisant for his "selfless pursuit of historic preservation" in the Roslyn area. They specifically cited his contributions toward restoring The Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower, The Myers Valentine House, The Miliken-Bevin Trellis, The John F. Remsen House, The Thomas Clapham Barn, The Kirby-Sammis House, The Kirby Store and The Peter L. Snedeker House. Landmark Society members especially remember Mr. Prisant repairing antique hardware, handling salvaged architectural items, and climbing a scaffold to paint the clock face of the Clock Tower.

"Millard's generosity extended beyond his donation of time and talent," a joint statement by The Roslyn Preservation Corp. and the Landmark Society added. "He willingly made many generous contributions to assure the completion and success of the various projects undertaken by the two organizations. His cheerful, enthusiastic and dedicated presence among us will be greatly missed, but the restoration of many of Roslyn's historic buildings will serve as a permanent and silent memorial to his esteemed memory."

Educated at Yale University, where he earned a degree in physics, Mr. Prisant, while still a young engineer, helped to design the Polaris missile guidance system. He later founded his own company, Mod-A-Can, an aircraft-indicator case manufacturing firm, headquartered in Hicksville. He is survived by his wife, Carol, who also participated in local restoration projects, and a son, Barden.