Longtime New Castle County Councilman Joseph Reda died Thursday.
Reda has served on the New Castle County Council since 2004 - focusing on issues including code enforcement, affordable housing and open space preservation.
He was also a well-known community leader, who coached youth sports and served on numerous local government bodies in Northern Delaware.
Elsmere Mayor Steve Burg has been a friend and colleague of Reda’s for 39 years.
“One of the things about Joe is that Joe would get things. He didn’t need the accolades. He didn’t need the pat on the back. But he would get things done," Burg said.
The Delaware native was raised in the Wilmington’s Little Italy neighborhood and lived in Elsmere for the past 40 years.
The cause of death is unknown but the councilman had been suffering from heart troubles in recent months.
New Castle County Executive Thomas P. Gordon has directed county flags to be lowered to half-staff, following tradition that they stay lowered for a week or until completion of memorial services.
“We are mourning deeply after learning of Joe’s passing,” Gordon said. “Our hearts are broken at the loss of our dear friend – a true statesman.”