Former City of Waterloo mayor Arthur Paleczny has died at the age of 91, city staff have confirmed.

Paleczny had been living at Highview Residence in Kitchener, and died of COVID-19, according to an obituary written by the family and sent to CBC News by city staff.

He had just celebrated his 91st birthday on Friday.

"His family was not able to be with him in his last days of life as we are all suffering the effects of this pandemic in one way or another. We know he was with caregivers that loved him; and cared so much that they risked their health and precious time with their family to be there for him," wrote Paleczny's family.

"It is nothing short of heroic! Thank you!"

Paleczny is the second person at Highview Residence to have died of COVID-19. The long-term care home first declared an outbreak on April 1. As of April 7, nine residents and one staff member had tested positive for the virus.

The Ministry of Health requires all long-term care homes to declare outbreaks as soon as a single resident or staff member tests positive.

'You shouldn't be hanging around city hall': Paleczny

Paleczny was born in Waterloo on April 3, 1929. He was first elected to council in 1960 as an alderman and then became mayor at the age of 36.

He was mayor from 1966 to 1967. After just a few months on the job he declared the work could be done in two to four hours a day, said his family.

"You shouldn't be hanging around city hall eight hours a day sticking your nose into every problem," he reportedly said, and openly declared the mayor's job should never be full time.

Current Mayor Dave Jaworsky remembered Paleczny as community-builder whose influence can still be seen today.

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of a person who served the city very well in the 1960s," said Jaworsky.

Sadly, said Jaworsky, this likely marks the beginning of COVID-19's significant impact on the community of Waterloo region.

"You can see in a great-grandfather like Mayor Art Paleczny where this impact is being felt, because as time goes on we become more susceptible to diseases," said Jaworksy. "And to say that COVID-19 is going to impact some of our most senior residents in our community is very sad."

The City of Waterloo will fly flags at city hall at half mast in Paleczny's honour.

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