Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Reese (R), who was re-elected to a seventh term in the State House in November, died Saturday afternoon from an apparent brain aneurysm. He was 42.
According to a statement of Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R), Reese, who was elected to serve as Republican caucus chair for the 2020-2021 session, “died peacefully with his family by his side” at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pa.
“On behalf of the entire House Republican Caucus, I express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Rep. Mike Reese,” Benninghoff said in the statement.
“More than a friend to us all, and one of our caucus leaders, Mike was a dedicated 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 the 59th district of Pennsylvania, as “a model legislator who put his voters first.”
“I have known Mike since joining in 2009 and have been proud to witness his many legislative accomplishments, especially his tireless work on behalf of Pennsylvania’s students and families,” the Republican leader continued. “His spirit, presence and counsel will be greatly missed.”
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
– Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (@RepBenninghoff) 2 January 2021
Fellow State Representative George Dunbar (R), who shared an office with Reese in the state Capitol for about six years, told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Saturday that Reese’s death was “a great loss.”
“Mike was one of my best friends,” Dunbar told the local newspaper. “He was always a family man whose whole life revolved around his three children. He was probably the most respected member of the House. ”
‘I just spoke to him on New Year’s Eve. He had just run five miles when we were talking, and he was about to go hunting for his son, ‘he added.
According to Johnstown, a newspaper in Pa The Tribune Democrat, Reese contracted COVID-19 in early December and said 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 waiting in quarantine for the last week and waiting for my test results and will remain in quarantine with the positive test until I recover. I am grateful to report that my symptoms are mild and that they are decreasing. I feel better than any day passes. ‘