At Coplay Borough Council’s regular meeting Sept. 12, council members took time to acknowledge the sudden passing of state Rep. Dan McNeill Sept. 8.

Officials agreed he represented his constituency well and had a certain affinity for Coplay. McNeill’s support among voters in the borough was strong, they said, adding he enjoyed being a part of the community.

Councilman Stephen Burker commented on his close relationship with McNeill.

“I learned a lot from Danny McNeill, more than I could have ever learned in any college-level course. I am a better person, and Coplay is a better place, because of Danny and Jeanne McNeill. I will always be proud to be called his friend,” Burker said.

The other members of council were equally complementary. Councilwoman Janet Eisenhauer said McNeill was an extremely hard worker and committed to getting things done.

“He will be missed,” Councilman Mark Molitoris said. “I want to take some of his ideas and his work ethic and apply them to how I work for the people who elected me.”

Council President Louis Bodish has been a personal friend of McNeill’s for decades.

“We lost a great man, and I lost a close personal friend,” he said. “He was always a friend of Coplay, and we spoke to him often. My condolences to Jeanne and his family.”

Councilman Carl Luckenbach remembered McNeill as a good friend who will be sorely missed.

“He was a great guy, and I really got to know him well working on various projects,” Councilman David Royer said. “I appreciate all his help and the assistance he gave to me and the borough.”

Councilman Charles Sodl added his comments to the list.

“He was a blue-collar representative and looked out for the working man. He was always full of energy and a no-nonsense guy,” he said. “He wanted to get things done for this borough and for the other people he represented.

“The thing that impressed me most was that he was easy to talk to, and he understood the problems a small borough like Coplay faced,” Sodl said.

Coplay Mayor Dean Molitoris has known McNeill in various capacities and also worked closely with him when he headed Coplay Sports.

“Dan was a tremendous man and a friend of so many people. He did great things for the people of Coplay and his district,” he said. “But, as great a job he did for his constituents, he was an even better husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed.”

Recently, Coplay received a large grant to update a borough park, set to be dedicated in spring 2018 for the benefit of all the people of Coplay. Without McNeill’s dedication, influence and hard work, council members agreed, the park would not be nearing completion.