Paterson Planning Board Commissioner Wayne Witherspoon has died.

The special police officer for the Paterson Police Department was a warm and positive local figure whose sudden death tonight shocked the city. A civically engaged man who loved Paterson and his fellow Patersonians,  who was welcoming to people from everywhere, Mr. Witherspoon died at his home after suffering a fall.

Devoted to his mother, he adored her until her death less than a year ago.

“He was one of the good guys. Friendly, kind spirt and always willing to lend a hand,” said Freeholder

T.J. Best. “I was most impressed with his relationship with his mother. She was his date to all the political events and he loved to introduce her around. It’s a loss for everyone who knew him and the community in which he served. He will be missed.”

Mr. Witherspoon maintained friendships and political relationships with people from all strata of the life of his hometown, and proved a key ally of Mayor Andre Sayegh, who was also grieving on Tuesday night. He served on Mayor Sayegh’s 2018 transition team, served as 3rd Ward 9th District County Committeemember, and was  a former aide to former U.S. Rep. Herbert Kline. He was seen as a political comer and a prospective candidate for freeholder in the event of an opening.

“He was a gentle soul,” said Kat Esquiche. “He exercised his civic duties with pride and led others to do the same. I lost a friend in him.”