BELVILLE — After the town’s mayor died unexpectedly this week, Belville officials have announced his celebration of life is planned for the first week in August.
READ MORE: Belville’s mayor has passed away
Friends, family and the community will gather to celebrate Mayor Mike Allen on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College, 150 College Rd. NE.
“While he was well past retirement age, he continued to have the desire to serve his community, just as he did throughout his lifetime,” according to town spokesperson Vince Matthews.
Allen passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 29. He served as mayor for seven terms in Belville. He also was in the U.S. Army and National Reserves and worked in law enforcement for 30 years, for both Southport Police Department and Brunswick Sheriff’s Office.
The mayor was a representative on the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which honored Allen during its Wednesday meeting. Chair Hank Miller requested a moment of silence after stating he was shocked to learn of Allen’s passing.
“He’ll be definitely missed,” Miller said.
The Town of Belville called a special meeting Friday and also held a moment of silence. The meeting had commissioners appoint Mayor Pro Tem Charles Bost to acting mayor.
A new mayor will be elected this November, which Allen had filed to run again, facing off against opponent Nia Moore. Per state statute, the Brunswick County Board of Elections reopened the filing period on Thursday, July 31, for the Belville mayor position; it closes Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Read Mayor Allen’s official obituary here.
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