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Former Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Mayor of Belfast David Cook died from Covid-19 at the age of 76.
In a statement, Cook’s family said he died peacefully shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday at Craigavon Hospital.
“His family would like to express their gratitude for the kindness he received at local hospitals after suffering a stroke two years ago and in the last weeks when he was confronted with Covid,” the family said.
Cook was a founding member of the Alliance Party in 1970, eventually becoming a deputy leader in 1980 and held that position until 1984.
He was elected to the Belfast City Council in 1973 for South Belfast and became the first non-union mayor in the city’s history in 1978, after winning a 26-25 vote.
Former Alliance Party leader John Cushnahan said he was “saddened to learn of the untimely death” of Mr. Cook.
“David Cook was a very skillful and courageous politician,” he said. “It was an honor and a privilege to serve under him when he was leader of the Alliance Group in Belfast City Council in the 1970s and also as deputy leader of the Alliance Party in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 1980s.
“He was a founding member of the Alliance Party and many of the important initial meetings of the Alliance Party took place at his home.
“He was without a doubt one of the best mayors to ever hold office. Throughout my time in office in Northern Ireland, he was a loyal and faithful friend who gave me great and generous support during very difficult and challenging times. “
Cook leaves his wife Fionnuala; the Barbary children, John, Patrick, Julius and Dominic; his granddaughters Romy and Imogen; and sisters Alison and Nora.
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