By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

Bucyrus Mayor Roger Moore has died. The first-term mayor was 50 and passed away unexpectedly Tuesday night.

Described in a press release from City Hall as one of Bucyrus’ “most generous citizens and dedicated city leaders,” Moore was busy with city functions and duties almost up until his sudden death.

“No, he had been to council meeting,” City Council President Sis Love said when queried as to whether the mayor had been feeling ill. “He was fine. He was his usual self. He gave a brief report at the meeting.”

Moore also presided over a swearing-in ceremony of a new Bucyrus police officer prior to that council meeting and earlier in the day his office had released a proclamation from him declaring May 23 and 24 as “Poppy Day” in Bucyrus.

Love said Moore had gone to visit an aunt in Bucyrus following that City Council meeting and suddenly collapsed. According to Love, Moore was taken to Bucyrus Community Hospital where medical personnel tried to revive and stabilize him for about an hour before he passed.

Love indicated it was her understanding Moore suffered a heart attack.

Love described Moore as a “good and dear friend.” Love will be sworn in as acting mayor in a brief ceremony at 8 o’clock this morning.

Moore won a close election for the office of mayor over incumbent Mike Jacobs in 2012. Moore served as City Council president for two years and two terms as a council member prior to being mayor. Moore was also a licensed Realtor, auctioneer and appraiser.

He frequently served as auctioneer at various charity and fundraising events. Moore also worked for several years with the local Relay for Life organization.

As a city official Moore worked diligently to get a downtown repaving and revitalization project that was mired down completed. He was in office when the city finally passed an income tax hike for safety forces that had already been defeated three times.

More recently, Moore’s office worked closely with local organizations and state officials to secure funding to tear down the old movie theater and in its place are plans to build an art park. The city is also in the middle of plans to build to multi-million dollar water treatment plant.

A press release from the city indicates a date and location for funeral services will soon be made public.