Former Bridgeport Mayor Nick Panuzio died in Maryland Saturday morning from complications after surgery. He was 83.

The lifelong Republican was elected in 1971. He was elected again four years later. Panuzio stepped down in 1975 to serve in the administration of President Gerald Ford.

State and local leaders remembered Panuzio as a patriot who devoted his life to serving others.

"Here was a man who contributed decades of his life,dd his entire life, to not only the city of Bridgeport but to government, to the University of Bridgeport," said Mayor Joe Ganim.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called Panuzio “a devoted family person” and a mayor who “gave his all to Bridgeport without distraction based on party.”