An online book of condolence has been opened for former Mayor of Waterford Pat Hayes.
The former Labour Councillor died yesterday.
Waterford City and County Council held a Special Meeting today to extend sympathies to his family.
Pat Hayes is survived by his wife Bridie, his daughter Eimear, sons Emmett, Mark, Michael and Padraig.
The Mayor of Waterford opened the special meeting by saying "Pat was known to all through his involvement in politics, through his proud affiliation to the Labour Party and of all the traditions that came with politics.
"Pat was a great friend and ambassador to the arts community in Waterford and was a regular visitor to many shows and plays.
"His passing has evoked a great sadness throughout the county and country.
"Pat had a warm and engaging personality and he had a wonderful ability to make you feel you were the centre of attention.
"Pat gave fantastic representation to Waterford, was hugely proud of Waterford and Waterford can be immensely proud of that representation"
Pat Hayes was first elected to Waterford Corporation in 1991 and he proudly represented the constituency of Ward One until his retirement in 2013. During his 22-year political career, Pat twice served as Mayor to the City of Waterford and represented Waterford during exceptional events. During his term as Mayor in 2000 Waterford celebrated the millennium and again in 2011 Waterford hosted the Tall Ships Race.
Pat was known across the country through his involvement with the Local Authorities Members Association (LAMA) where he served as joint honorary treasurer of LAMA with his former colleague the late John Carey.
Cllr. Seamus Ryan said of his Labour Party colleague, "Pat Hayes, during his working life with An Post, as a local Councillor, Mayor of Waterford and as someone dedicated to several community-based organisations, Pat epitomised the values of public service and society so important to the Labour party which he was a staunch member of.
"He had a warm personality and loved to engage people. That could be a greeting on the street, a word with someone on behalf of a constituent that had raised an issue with him, contributing to the work of the many committees he was involved in, or speaking as a firm advocate for Waterford.
"His family, to whom our deepest sympathies are extended, can be very proud of Pat Hayes. He gave of his best for them, for Waterford and for us all."
An online Book of Condolence has been opened to allow the people of Waterford to express their sympathies to Pat's family. The Online Book of Condolence can be found on http://bit.ly/PatHayesRIP
