Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Reese (R), who was re-elected in a seventh term in the state House in November, died Saturday afternoon of an apparent brain aneurysm. He was 42 years old.
Seconds a statement of Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R) Reese, who was elected to serve as chairman of the Republican committee for the 2020-2021 session, “died peacefully with his family by his side.” at the Excellent Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pa.
“On behalf of the entire House Republican Caucus, I demand our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Rep. Mike Reese,” Benninghoff said in the statement.
“More than a friend to all of us and one of our leaders, Mike was a devoted husband and father,” he continued. “His wife, three young children and extended family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Benninghoff described Reese, who represented Pennsylvania’s 59th district, as “a legislative model that put its voters first.”
“I have known Mike since he took office in 2009 and I have been proud to witness his many legislative accomplishments, especially his tireless work on behalf of Pennsylvania students and families,” the Republican leader continued. “He will miss his spirit, his presence and his advice.”
Mike was a devoted husband and father. His wife, three young children and extended family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. https://t.co/rMfgceu1rV
– Representative Kerry Benninghoff (@RepBenninghoff) January 2, 2021
Fellow state representative George Dunbar (R), who shared an office with Reese at the state Capitol for about six years, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On Saturday, Reese’s passing was “a great loss.”
“Mike was one of my best friends,” Dunbar told the local newspaper. “He was always a family man who all his life revolved around his three children. He was probably the most respected member of the House. “
“I just talked to him on New Year’s Eve. When we talked, he had just run five kilometers and was about to take his son out hunting, ”he added.
According to Johnstown, Pa-based newspaper The Democratic rostrum, Reese contracted COVID-19 in early December, saying in a statement at the time that his symptoms were mild.
“I recently learned that I tested positive for COVID-19,” Reese said on Dec. 7. “I have been in quarantine for the last week waiting for the results of my test and, with the positive test, I will continue in quarantine until I have recovered. I am grateful to have reported that my symptoms were mild and diminishing. I get better every day. “