Former Buffalo common councilmember and community leader David Rutecki has passed away. Rutecki died of a stroke overnight in New York City.
The Buffalo News reports Rutecki was in the city for the birth of his grandson.
Rutecki served on the Council for eight years from 1983-1991, representing the North District. He left City Hall to become a vice president at M&T Bank, but remained active in local politics in a number of advisory roles.
“David Rutecki is someone who loved Buffalo deeply,” said Mayor Byron Brown in a statement.
“He was a civic and business leader who devoted a great deal of his life to public service. He had a brilliant mind for government and business and was very generous with me over the years in providing advice on a whole host of subjects. He will be sorely missed. ‘May God bless him and his family.”
Congressman Brian Higgins expressed sadness upon learning of Rutecki's passing. The two men served on the Council together. Higgins says Rutecki's "keen, analytical style" was a major influence on his legislative career.
"People looked to him. I think it was his integrity and his knowledge of government generally that really provided a sense of leadership for all those that served with him," Higgins said.
Higgins says Rutecki was also a good friend to Western New York's Polish community.
"Dave was very proud of his ethnic heritage and wore it on his sleeve," Higgins said.