Raymond Pianka

Cleveland Housing Court Judge Raymond Pianka, seen here in a 2008 file photo, died early Sunday, according to Cleveland city councilmen.

(Tony Dejak, AP Photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Housing Court Judge Raymond L. Pianka has died at age 65.

The news of Pianka's death was confirmed to cleveland.com Sunday morning by Cleveland Municipal Court spokesman Ed Ferenc. Details about his death remain scarce, though Ferenc said Pianka was found dead Saturday evening by a family member in the property behind his home on Ellen Avenue.

Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone, who represents the ward where Pianka lived, said on Facebook that the judge's family has asked for privacy. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

Councilman Zack Reed also posted to social media regarding the judge's death, calling Pianka a "long time friend."

Just received word my long time friend and our Housing Court Judge Raymond Pianka has passed away.

Please pray for his family. pic.twitter.com/Ahho8eJGf9 — Zack Reed (@zachreed12) January 22, 2017

Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Michael Ryan also posted a tribute to Pianka on Twitter:

Asking 4 prayers 4 Housing Court Judge Raymond Pianka's family in his passing. Great Judge, friend, father & husband⚖️ — Michael Ryan (@DaLandJudge) January 22, 2017

Pianka was first elected to the Cleveland Housing Court in 1995, and he was re-elected in 2007, according to his biography on the Cleveland Municipal Court website.

Pianka "implemented numerous innovative programs to obtain compliance with the City of Cleveland's building, housing, and health codes," his online biography states. These programs include requiring negligent landowners to pay neighbors for the blight their properties cause and imposing daily fines on landowners who didn't show up in his courtroom for housing code violations.

Before serving as Housing Court Judge, Pianka served on Cleveland City Council for 10 years in Ward 17. He was the chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee while on city council.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish released a statement Sunday afternoon regarding Pianka's death.

"Judge Pianka was a truly caring and devoted public servant," Budish's statement says. "He recognized the unique value of responsible home ownership and led efforts to enhance and protect our neighborhoods. Our prayers are with his family."

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson also sent condolences to the Pianka family in a Sunday afternoon statement.

"I would like to express my heartfelt condolences at the passing of Judge Raymond Pianka. I served with Judge Pianka while on City Council and he was a tireless advocate for his community," Jackson said. "My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as they mourn his untimely death. He will be missed."

Jeff Kipp, the director of neighborhood marketing for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, said in an email statement that his organization's important partnership with Pianka and the Cleveland Housing Court "was genuinely appreciated."

"The impact of his leadership was felt in all Cleveland neighborhoods, as he led the court's work with our community development corporation partners to maintain safe and stable housing for city residents," Kipp's statement said. "With Judge Pianka's passing, the city has unfortunately lost another tremendous neighborhood advocate."

Jim Rokakis, a former Cleveland city councilman and Pianka's longtime friend, said he was feeling "devastated" Sunday morning. Rokakis, who is now the vice president of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, helped to create the Cleveland Housing Court.

"We designed a court that was going to be occupied by somebody who cared about housing and who understood the city and its neighborhoods," Rokakis said. "The court was designed for somebody like Ray."

Jay Westbrook, another longtime friend and former fellow councilman, echoed Rokakis when he spoke about how well Pianka's knew the city.

"I don't believe there's anyone else in the city that has the depth of knowledge and the compassion toward Cleveland's neighborhoods," Westbrook said. "Frequently, he would surprise defendants in the court by knowing details about their own street."

Gus Frangos, the president of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, said he was "stunned" by the news of Pianka's death, as he just saw him last week. Frangos described Pianka as a "community development champion in a class of his own."

"I'm just so sad at this loss for the community," Frangos said. "I can't imagine anyone with his skill and passion replacing him in that court."

Westbrook was shocked by Pianka's death because of how health-conscious the judge was. Pianka walked several miles for exercise every day, and he would often walk from his house on the West Side to his downtown office, Westbrook said.

Rokakis added that Pianka was "amazingly creative" in the solutions he formed to deal with housing issues throughout the city, and his friend was widely viewed as one of the best housing court judges in the country.

"I hate to say this, but he's almost irreplaceable," Rokakis said.