Former Belfast Lord Mayor David Cook has died at the age of 19.

Cook died Saturday at Craigown Hospital. He was in his seventies.

He was a founding member of the Alliance Party in 1970 and was elected to the Belfast City Council and the previous Stonemont Assembly in his political career.

Coalition leader Naomi Long, along with those who founded their party, paid tribute to his vision.

They praised his achievements, and in 1978 became the first non-union leader to serve as Lord Mayor of Belfast.

From 1973 to 1985 he served South Belfast voters in Cromak, Belfast City Council, and in the poor NII Assembly from 1982-86.

“A committed European, he was an MEP candidate in 1984,” she said.

As a result of Covid-19, as we did not get to celebrate that anniversary together, his loss in our fiftieth year is more detailed, and he ultimately and tragically died.

As I mourn his passing at this sad time, my thoughts and thoughts on the Alliance family are with Fionnwala and the vast family circle. ”

Mr. Cook was a solicitor and also founded the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust, now known as the Community Foundation Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Wife Fionnuwala, children Barbary, John, Patrick, Julius, Dominic, grandchildren Romy and Emojon, sisters Alison and Nora.