E. Henry Twiggs, a prominent community and civil rights leader in Springfield, Massachusetts, has died.
Twiggs marched in Selma in 1965, was a vice president of the Congress of Racial Equality, and since 2009 a Springfield City Councilor.
Fellow City Councilor Jesse Lederman considered Twiggs a mentor and described him as a true public servant.
"He spent a decade in elected office, but spent his entire life in community work to uplift the people of Springfield and any community he was in," said Lederman.
Twiggs, 80, announced last April that he would not run for another term this year on the City Council.
City Council President Justin Hurst issued this statement on behalf of the entire council:
The Springfield City Council is deeply saddened by the recent passing of E. Henry Twiggs. His leadership and ability to guide the City Council on difficult issues that matter most to the residents in the City of Springfield will be extremely missed. He took great pride in serving his community and his legacy will live on through the many lives he has touched. Our condolences go out to his beautiful wife Karen and the rest of his family.
Mayor Domenic Sarno also issued a statement:
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, from one barber’s son to another, I’m very sorry to hear about Ward Four City Councilor E. Henry Twiggs passing. My thoughts, prayers, sympathy, and encouragement to his wife Karen, family and friends. Always the gentleman and always the dapperly clad, especially with his trademark hats. Henry was a Civil Rights Activist and a Statesman who always had the heart of his/our community in his soul. He fought his health challenges with strength and pride. May God rest his soul.
