Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
At the Monday evening Bristol Borough Council meeting, members of the governing body remembered Mayor Joe Saxton, who died last Friday.
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Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe, who is currently serving as acting mayor, said Saxton, 72, gave so much of his time to the borough over the years and will be missed.
“He served this town as mayor with class and dignity,” DiGuiseppe said. “Joe really enjoyed being mayor.”
Council Vice President Betty Rodriguez said Saxton always signed his text messages as “Mayor Saxton,” which showed his love of the job.
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“It was an honor to serve with Mr. Saxton,” she said.
“We thank you for being a great family man, great volunteer, and great government leader,” Councilmember Louis Quattrocchi said of the late mayor.
Councilmember Lorraine Cullen said Saxton was a big cheerleader for the borough.
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Councilmember Greg Pezza said he grew up with the Saxton family and spent time with them on vacations as a kid.
“He was around my entire life … and he was just really a good person. There may have no been no one who loved Bristol more,” he said.
Councilmembers Maria Figueroa and Michael Gorman also expressed their condolences.
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Earlier in the weekend, numerous other officials and residents expressed their thoughts on the passing of Saxton.
DiGuiseppe said the mayor has dealt with medical challenges in recent years and that took a toll on him.
Bristol Borough police and firefighters escorted Saxton’s body from St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown Township to Wade Funeral Home in Bristol Borough on Saturday morning.
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Saxton was a resident of the borough since childhood and served as a volunteer firefighter.
As DiGuiseppe is acting as acting mayor, he was unable to vote on any measures at the council meeting.
Solicitor William Salerno said the council will have to fill the vacancy within the next month. A special meeting might be held.
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With Saxton’s passing, there will be a special election for mayor in 2024, Solerno said, citing the state borough code.
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