PRESQUE ISLE – The city remembers Bob Poiesz as a man who always thought of others first.

Poiesz, 55, died Thursday after a battle with cancer.

The vice chairman of the Presque Isle City Council, who also worked for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service center in Limestone, brought enthusiasm, sincerity and humor to the work he did for the municipality, according to City Manager Tom Stevens.

“Bob was a wonderfully talented individual and an excellent city councilor,” Stevens said Friday. “He was always prepared for meetings, and he always put the community ahead of his personal beliefs when it came to discussions and votes.”

Poiesz was serving the third year of a four-year term on the council. Councilors elected him this year to serve as their vice chairman.

Stevens remembered that when Poiesz was ill and undergoing chemotherapy he still took seriously his responsibilities as a city councilor.

“When Bob was ill, he’d continue to come in and sign city warrants on Friday,” the city manager recalled. “One time after chemotherapy … you could see he was worn out. But when you asked if he was OK, he’d put a big smile on his face and say, ‘Every day I can get out is a good day, and there’s a lot of people out there a lot worse off than I am.’ If we came out with half of the positive mental attitude that he had, it would be a good day.”

Poiesz is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janpen Poiesz; daughter Mildred Poiesz-Keegan; son Robert George Poiesz; grandchildren Cassidy Keegan and Isabella Keegan; son-in-law Christopher Keegan; his mother, Mildred Stetler-Poiesz, and brother, William Poiesz, both of Philadelphia, Pa.

Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church with Pastor Bob Blackstone officiating. Friends may call at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Donations may be made in his memory to C-A-N-C-E-R, P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle 04769.