Springfield City Councilor E Henry Twiggs has died.
Twiggs represented Ward Four in Springfield for years. He decided not to run for re-election this year.
Twiggs was best known for activism, civil rights and raising objections to what he saw as things that were wrong in a gentlemanly way.
Mayor Dom Sarno called Twiggs "a statesman".
City Council President Justin Hurst says: " The Springfield City Council is deeply saddened by the recent passing of E. Henry Twiggs.
His leadership and ability to guide the City Council on difficult issues that matter most to the residents in the City of Springfield will be extremely missed.
He took great pride in serving his community and his legacy will live on through the many lives he has touched. "