Miramichi Mayor Gerry Cormier dies after suffering heart attack

CTV Atlantic: Miramichi mourns loss of mayor There are heavy hearts as the town of Miramichi mourns the loss of mayor Gerry Cormier. CTV’s Cami Kepke reports.

The City of Miramichi is mourning the loss of its mayor, who died after suffering a heart attack.

Gerry Cormier died Sunday at the age of 66. He had battled bowel cancer last year and underwent chemotherapy and surgery.

“He loved this city and the people of this city loved him,” said Deputy Mayor Adam Lordon. “When you think of Miramichi, you think of Gerry and his boisterous energy, his voice, and just being a tireless advocate for a community through good and bad.”

The Bathurst native was sworn in for his third term as mayor last month and was brother to Bathurst councillor Bernie Cormier.

"He never forgot a face,” said longtime friend Susan Butler. “He might forget a name, but he always knew you, wherever you were. Didn’t matter the walk of life. He always had that infectious smile and a, 'hello, how are you.’"

While many remember Cormier for his leadership during tough economic times, Butler remembers his passion for music.

"When he had his shows, he'd always have the children's choir, and they would sing with him 'Angels Among Us.' So now, he's with the angels, singing with them.”

Cormier was elected as councillor-at-large of the newly-amalgamated City of Miramichi in 1995. He was elected mayor in 2008, and was just re-elected last month, winning by more than 2,000 votes.

“It's almost as though he put the city on his back and continued to carry us forward and get us through those dark times, and make sure everyone focused on the positive,” said Lordon.

Flags at Miramichi City Hall fly at half-mast and all council business has been set aside for the week.

“Every single person that Gerry Cormier dealt with felt respected when they left his office,” said Miramichi Bay-Neguac MLA Lisa Harris. “Because he has a genuine concern and care for every Miramichier.”

Mourners are leaving tributes online and in a book of condolences set up at City Hall. Plans for a memorial are expected to be announced over the next few days.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.