Gary Roberts, Edgewater city councilman in the latter 1990s, has died at 63

EDGEWATER, Fla -- Gary Roberts, a former Edgewater City councilman who also served as vice mayor in the latter 1990s, has died at the age of 63.

Mr. Roberts, married with four children, died Friday of an undisclosed illness on March 8, 2019, at his Edgewater home. 

At the request of Headline Surfer for information on Mr. Roberts' tenure with the city government, Edgewater officials Wednesday evening released a statement that read in part: "It is with great sadness that the City of Edgewater reports the passing of former City Councilman Gary Roberts.  Councilman Roberts passed away at his home on March 8, 2019. He served as a City Council member representing District 3 from September 30, 1997 until November 3, 1999. During his tenure, he served in the role of vice mayor. Councilman Roberts also served on the Economic Development Board in the mid 1990s."  

Edgewater city spokeswoman Jill Danigel pointed out in the press release that during Councilman Roberts' tenure on the dais, Fire Station 57 was designed and built. The Southeast Volusia YMCA and Hawks Park were designed during Councilman Roberts’ term, Daniegel added, pointing out  was also instrumental in initiation of the Parktowne Industrial Park project.  

Once Councilman Roberts completed his term on the City Council, he continued to be an asset to the community by donating his services to design the Fire Rescue Association “fire hall” as well as redesigning landscaping for Fire Station 55, Danigel said in the press release.  

Photo images shown here on top: Parktowne Industrial Center; below left: Hawks Park; below right: the SoutheastVolusisa YMCA, all in Edgewater as well as Fire Station 57, shjown in the video atop this story, as examples of projects approved by the late Edgewater City Councilman Gary Roberts and his colleagues on the municipal dais in thelatter 1990s. 

At the request of Headline Surfer for information on Mr. Roberts' tenure with the city government, Edgewater officials released a statement that read in part: "It is with great sadness that the City of Edgewater reports the passing of former City Councilman Gary Roberts.  Councilman Roberts passed away at his home on March 8, 2019. He served as a City Council member representing District 3 from September 30, 1997 until November 3, 1999. During his tenure, he served in the role of vice mayor. Councilman Roberts also served on the Economic Development Board in the mid 1990s."  

Edgewater city spokeswoman Jill Danigel pointed out in the press release that during Councilman Roberts' tenure on the dais, Fire Station 57 was designed and built. The Southeast Volusia YMCA and Hawks Park were designed during Councilman Roberts’ term, Daniegel added, pointing out  was also instrumental in initiation of the Parktowne Industrial Park project."

Once Councilman Roberts completed his term on the City Council, he continued to be an asset to the community by donating his services to design the Fire Rescue Association “fire hall” as well as redesigning landscaping for Fire Station 55, Danigel said in the press release.  

The Massachusetts native lost a bid for re-election of his District 3 Edgewater City Council seat in the Nov. 2, 1999, municipal elections to Harriett Rhodes by a vote of 1,615 to 1,299, according to the Volusia County Supervisor ofd Elections website.