Longtime Manchester Mayor Ray Wieczorek died on Wednesday at the age of 93. Wieczorek’s life was full of service. From the Korean War to the corner office in Manchester to the executive chambers in Concord, he played a significant role in the public life of his country, state and city. He led the Queen City through difficult times in the 1990s and did not shy away from battles over financial responsibility. Pay freezes led to protests from city employees in 1996 when Wieczorek was running for Congress. he said at the time. The man known as “The Wiz” had a vision for the future of central Manchester and pushed for the construction of a civic center that everyone now knows as the SNHU Arena. Wieczorek was also a key figure in Republican Party politics. He has mentored several generations of GOP leaders, including fellow Executive Council member Chris Sununu, whom he mentored as governor in a crowded primary field in 2016. “Ray Wieczorek served with a smile,” Sununu said in a written statement. “As Manchester Mayor and Executive Councilor, Ray took the time to listen and engage with his constituents. He leaves a legacy that will inspire many for decades to come. But most importantly, Ray was my friend. Always Valerie and I will miss him dearly. “In a common theme in the tributes that have poured in since his death, Wieczorek was considered uniquely loyal in the world of politics. ‘If you had a friend in Ray Wieczorek, you had a friend for life,'” said friend Ovide Lamontagne. Lamontagne said the impact of Wieczorek’s leadership on Manchester and New Hampshire couldn’t be underestimated.”Ray Wieczorek was a lion,” said Lamontagne. “He had such a personality. He was positive. He brought ‘public’ into public service.”
Longtime Manchester Mayor Ray Wieczorek died on Wednesday at the age of 93.
Wieczorek’s life was filled with service. From the Korean War to the corner office in Manchester to the executive chambers in Concord, he played a significant role in the public life of his country, state and city.
He led the Queen City through difficult times in the 1990s and did not shy away from battles over financial responsibility. Pay freezes led to protests from city workers in 1996 when Wieczorek was running for Congress.
“I won’t apologize for anything I’ve tried because I’ve tried to do the right things,” he said at the time.
The man known as “The Wiz” had a vision for the future of central Manchester and pushed for the construction of a civic center that everyone now knows as the SNHU Arena.
Wieczorek was also a key figure in Republican Party politics, becoming a mentor to several generations of GOP leaders, including fellow Executive Council member Chris Sununu, whom he mentored as governor in a crowded primary field in 2016.
“Ray Wieczorek served with a smile,” Sununu said in a written statement. “As Manchester Mayor and Executive Councilor, Ray took the time to listen and engage with his constituents. He leaves a legacy that will inspire many for decades to come. But most importantly, Ray was my friend. Always there and never wavering. Valerie and I will miss him greatly.”
In a common theme of the tributes that have poured in since his death, Wieczorek has been seen as uniquely loyal in the world of politics.
“If you had a friend in Ray Wieczorek, you had a friend for life,” said friend Ovide Lamontagne.
Lamontagne said the impact of Wieczorek’s leadership on Manchester and New Hampshire should not be underestimated.
“Ray Wieczorek was a lion,” said Lamontagne. “He had such personality. He was positive. He brought ‘public’ to public service.”