The City of Windsor is mourning the passing of a councillor who served for over two decades.
Former city councillor Tom Wilson died on Sunday afternoon, according to a post on his Facebook page. He had been seriously ill for several weeks.
"It is with a heavy heart that I pass on the news of Tom's peaceful passing at 2:05 this afternoon," read the post, which went up on Sunday. "Thank you to everyone who sent their prayers and best wishes his way. I read all of them to him, and he loved it. Special thanks to all who visited. He lit up every time he saw a familiar face come through that door. It definitely made the six weeks a little easier.
Wilson served as the Ward 5 councillor representing east Windsor 1985 to 2006, having served seven terms. The ward at the time stretched from Forest Glade to Riverside. During his tenure on council, there were five wards across the city of Windsor, each with two councillors representing them.
Mayor Drew Dilkens, who was elected as Windsor's Ward 1 councillor as Wilson completed his tenure, paid tribute to Wilson's long years of service to the city.
"Tom was an institution when I was elected to council in 2006. He will be deeply missed," wrote Dilkens on his Instagram page. "My condolences go out to his family and friends."
Funeral arrangements for Wilson have not been finalized as of Monday afternoon.