Miramichi Mayor Gerry Cormier dies after heart attack

Miramichi Mayor Gerry Cormier, the popular mayor of the northern city, died on Sunday after a heart attack. He was 66.

Cormer had battled cancer in the last year before easily winning a third consecutive term as mayor of Miramichi.

After suffering a heart attack, the mayor was flown to Saint John on Saturday for a quadruple bypass surgery at the province's heart centre.

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Coun. Billy Fleiger said Cormier died at 7:15 pm on Sunday.

Fleiger said he was "devastated" by the death of his long-time friend.

"I lost more than just a mayor, I lost a personal friend. I've known Gerry for a long, long, long time before I even was on council," he said.

"I thought the world of Gerry, he was a good face for the Miramichi, he was very pleasant, he treated everyone the same."

Cormier's political career began in 1995 when he was elected councillor-at-large for the newly amalgamated City of Miramichi. He was re-elected in 1998 and 2001.

Cormier was first elected as mayor of Miramichi in 2008 and he was re-elected in 2012 and 2016.

In May, he defeated his nearest rival by 2,614 votes.

A 'bridge builder'

Miramichi-Grand Lake MP Pat Finnigan said Miramichi has lost one of its greatest leaders.

Finnigan said the city council went through a rough period of time prior to Cormierwinning his first term.

As mayor, Finnigan said Cormierworked well with peoplefromthe former communities of Chatham and Newcastle, as well as work with the francophone and anglophone groups.

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Pat Finnegan is MP for Mirmaichi."Gerry was able to get everyone together, he would always find the compromise," he said.

Finnigan said he knew Cormier for about 15 years and worked with him in different capacities, including on the local hospital board during the tumultuous period when the provincial government was cutting hospital beds.

Finnigan described Cormier as a "bridge builder" during that time and brought people from all different parties together.

The Liberal MP saidCormierwas a "generous soul," who is going to be missed by people in the city.

"We are going to miss him so much, it is going to be a rough stretch to mourn Gerry and come together as a community," he said.

Premier Brian Gallant also issued a statement on Cormier's death on Monday.

"The people of Miramichi and New Brunswick lost a great community leader," he said.

"Gerry was humble and kind. He knew how to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all Miramichiers."