Long-time Delaware District Councilman Michael LoCurto died early this morning.

He was 46.

LoCurto most recently served as deputy commissioner of Erie County's Department of Environment and Planning after a decade of service on the Buffalo Common Council. He was a member of the county council from 2006 until 2015.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz says LoCurto's passion for public service and sense of humor made him a great leader both in Erie County and Buffalo.

“Mike served honorably and with great skill and integrity as deputy commissioner of Erie County’s Department of Environment and Planning until he could no longer do so due to his illness,” Poloncarz said. “An urban planner by training, Mike brought to the position the eye of a highly educated professional, but also the understanding of the public’s needs due to his decade of service on the Buffalo Common Council representing the city’s Delaware District.”

State Senator Tim Kennedy called LoCurto a “dedicated public advocate for Buffalo and a true friend. His work and his legacy will live on in those he helped and changed for the better.”