Former Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides has died. He served for many years on the city council before his partial term as mayor.
Tony Benavides was first elected to the city council in the third ward in the early 80’s, becoming Lansing's first Hispanic council member.
As president of the council, he rose to the mayor’s office when David Hollister resigned to take a job in the administration of then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Current council vice president Carol Wood served with Benavides on council and when he was mayor. She said it was great working with him.
“Tony was a very giving and generous man with his time and worked diligently to try to solve problems.”
Wood also praised Benavides for his work as executive director of Lansing’s Cristo Rey Community Center.
Lansing's city council chambers were named in honor of Benavides in 2019.
Tony Benavides was 84.