When Michael Yun closed his Central Avenue convenience store in 2015 to focus solely on his duties as a Jersey City councilman, the longtime business owner did not make the decision lightly.

Thirty-three years earlier, the Korean immigrant living in Brooklyn had jumped at the opportunity to take over Garden State News and quickly fell in love with his new home in Hudson County.

"I spoke with the neighbors, and it really felt like my hometown," he told The Jersey Journal in 2015. "I said ‘This is the place I'm going to start my American Dream.'"

That dream came to a tragic end Monday when Mayor Steve Fulop announced Yun, 65, died of complications related to COVID-19. The Ward D councilman was hospitalized with the infectious disease for nearly two weeks after going to Jersey City Medical Center with a fever and difficulty breathing on March 24.

The news of Yun’s death left a community already shaken by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic grieving for the public servant known for his lovable personality and independent streak.

“We are beyond saddened by the passing of Councilman Michael Yun. He was a family man, a great businessman, and a tireless advocate for Jersey City throughout his nearly 3 decades of public service,” Fulop said. “More than that though, he was a great husband, father, and grandfather as he never missed a chance to share how proud he was of his family.

"This is devastating for all of us here, as Michael was part of our Jersey City family.”

After immigrating to the United States in 1979, Yun took over the Central Avenue store in 1982 and became a naturalized citizen two years later. In the coming decades he established himself as a fixture of the Heights community, helping create Jersey City’s first Special Improvement District – the Central Avenue SID – in 1992. He served as both president and chairman of the SID’s Board of Trustees for more than 20 years.

“Michael is a very sweet man who wanted to do everything for Jersey City and the people on the Avenue,” Central Avenue SID President Sanford Fishman said. “He never said no to anybody. He was just the greatest guy you could ever meet.”

In 2013, Yun showed he was more than just a successful businessman and a friendly face when he was elected Ward D councilman despite lacking the support of incumbent Mayor Jerramiah Healy or Fulop, the eventual winner.

Yun and Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano quickly formed an interesting duo as the lone critics of the Fulop administration on the City Council. Yun even flirted with a mayoral run in 2017 but instead opted to run for reelection to the council.

“I was very close to him these last several years,” Boggiano said Monday. “Mike and I got along really well. We always had one thing in common, we always cared about Jersey City. Michael really cared about Jersey City.”

But Yun appeared to be working with more closely with Fulop in recent months. When the mayor unveiled his plan to fund the cash-strapped Jersey City Public Schools earlier this year, he did so with Yun by his side. The administration even referred to the proposal as the Fulop-Yun plan.

Lincoln High School Principal Chris Gadsden recalled Yun taking him under his wing when Gadsden briefly represented Ward B on the City Council in 2016 and 2017.

“He told me that you have to be available to your constituents. He showed me how to sacrifice for the greater good,” Gadsden wrote in a Facebook tribute to his former mentor. “I love you Michael Yun you were more than just a friend, you were my brother. This is going to be hard to get over.”

Ward E Councilman James Solomon, who represents Downtown Jersey City, pointed to one of Yun’s last pieces of legislation: an ordinance that would require senior citizen buildings to have round-the-clock security. Solomon called it a “fitting tribute” to Yun’s career in public service.

Jessica Berrocal, a Jersey City resident, said Yun helped her mother find an apartment in the Heights when her father passed away.

From left: Jersey City Council members Rolando Lavarro, Danie Rivera, Joyce Watterman, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Council members Chico Ramchal and Michael Yun.Courtesy of Daniel Rivera

Councilman at large Daniel Rivera was no stranger to Yun’s independent streak; the two at times publicly butted heads at council meetings. Rivera recalled a meeting with U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, during which the council members agreed to wear dark suits to match for a photo with the senator.

When Yun showed up in a light gray suit, he simply remarked: “I’ve got to stand out,” Rivera said.

“Michael was a friend and a great colleague. Although at times we didn’t agree with things, but in politics it’s not healthy to agree on everything,” Rivera said. "But beyond politics the city lost a great advocate and he is going to be missed.”

Outside the council chambers, Yun was known for his lovable personality, the annual toy drive he held for the children of Jersey City, and the signature bow tie he so often sported.

Even Gov. Phil Murphy knew Yun for his preferred neck attire.

“I literally exchanged notes with Michael probably not more than a week ago. Look at that guy with that bow tie,” Murphy said during his daily coronavirus press briefing Monday, moments after hearing of Yun’s death.

“He was a respected leader not just in Jersey City but in Hudson County.”

Stevie Latham, former president of the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance, recalled the valuable role Yun played in the campaign to save Reservoir 3 as open space.

“Cynics told us we couldn’t win," Latham said. "Nevertheless, he tirelessly helped us organize Jersey City residents and community groups, systematically promoting Reservoir 3 as an urban oasis against entrenched politicians and developers.”

A proud immigrant, Yun was Jersey City’s first Korean-born candidate elected to the City Council. A year before his victory at the polls, Yun received the Moran Medal of Civil Merit from South Korean Ambassador Son Se-joo, one of South Korea’s highest civilian honors for community contributions.

“I’m going to miss him. I’m really going to miss him,” Boggiano said. “I’m really heartbroken.”

Journal staff writer Joshua Rosario contributed to this story.