The city of Port Townsend acknowledged a recent loss when City Manager John Mauro informed attendees of the March 17 city council meeting of the passing of the city’s senior planner, John McDonagh, in the previous week.

Mauro’s voice grew emotional as he described McDonagh as “beloved by many in our community,” including fellow city staff members, over the course of a civic career that spanned 25 years.

“If you knew him you knew him for his incredible personality, his flair for work and his ability to bring joy to everybody he talked to,” Mauro said of McDonagh. “It really leaves a huge hole in our hearts, as a team, and really, quite a hole in our understanding of everything that John carried in his brilliant mind.”

Mauro acknowledged that “many of us will be grieving John, (and) many of you as well,” and as such, announced the city would be providing professional counseling services “to our team.”

Emma Bolin, director of Planning and Community Development for the city, noted that McDonagh’s passing came as “very sudden news” to the city, and added that his family has asked for privacy at this time.

“Everybody was so lucky to work with him, and to share in his infectious joy,” Bolin said. “In time, the city plans to share our stories of working with John, and of what he meant to this community.”

Mauro sked everyone to keep McDonagh’s surviving coworkers, friends and family members “in our hearts.”