Fairfield community mourns First Selectman Bill Gerber
First Selectman Bill Gerber died yesterday surrounded by family at Yale New Haven Hospital.
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Friends and colleagues are remembering former Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber.
Gerber died Tuesday after complications from a brain tumor. He was 60.
People in town are still trying to process this loss.
"Anyone who knew Bill knew he had this huge, contagious energy. He had this super power of making everyone around him feel better," said state Rep. Jennifer Leeper.
Gerber shared his contagious energy with friends and family two years ago when he became Fairfield's first selectman.
"He was a friend to so many. He loved this community. He raised his family here," said acting First Selectman Christine Vitale.
But after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, his health over two weeks quickly deteriorated. He died at Yale New Haven Hospital Tuesday.
"It’s just a devastating loss. It's impossible to imagine what his family is going through right now," said Leeper.
Wednesday was a quiet day at Fairfield Town Hall. Town workers were consoling each other about a man they loved who used to walk through the doors every day.
"He had so many hopes and dreams for our community Father, coach, public servant and really it's a loss," said Vitale.
In a statement, former Fairfield First Selectman Brenda Kupchick said, "I was deeply saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of First Selectman Bill Gerber. I always respected Bill’s dedication to the Saint Baldrick’s Foundation and commitment to serve our community. Public service is not easy, and Bill gave his time and energy to a role that demands a great deal. My sincere thoughts are with his family who have suffered terrible losses. May God hold him in the palm of his hand."
His family said arrangements for a public memorial service will be made at a future date. This is another tragedy for this family, who lost a son 15 years ago at the age of 9.
