Local civil rights activist and former President of Philadelphia NAACP, Jerome Whyatt "Jerry" Mondesire died Sunday Oct. 4. He was 65.

Philly.com reported that “Mondesire was having dialysis at Chestnut Hill Hospital Friday when he suffered a brain aneurysm. He was then transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and placed on a ventilator.”

His family announced in a statement on Sunday that he died at Jefferson hospital.

Mondesire, who in 1991 started his own weekly newspaper, Philadelphia Sunday Sun, attended City Colleges of New York, where he studied journalism, and was a student activist and volunteer with SNCC in 1969.

He was a former reporter and editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer and a founding member of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. Mondesire was the president of Philadelphia’s NAACP chapter from 1996 to 2014.

Several local leaders expressed their condolences after the news broke.

“Jerry Mondesire's passion and commitment to political and social empowerment is well known and was impactful. People like me and so many others benefitted from his insight and relentless efforts to improve the life conditions for African-Americans and so many others in our city, state and nation. Jerry took on the big challenges and put his heart and soul into his work. May his spirit rest in peace."  — Mayor Michael Nutter

“I had the privilege of learning from and working with Jerry for decades and came to admire him, not just for his unending dedication to our city, but for his kindness and support. Jerry was a champion for social, racial and economic justice — a truly powerful force for good in our city’s many neighborhoods. Jerry, I’ll miss you and your signature boots and Stetson and know that you and your family will be in my prayers.”  — Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams

"Jerry's steadfast commitment to advocacy was rivaled only by his loyalty to friends and his love for his family. I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who will miss Jerry, during this difficult time."  — Mayoral candidate Jim Kenney

“The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) is heartbroken to learn of the passing of longtime member J. Whyatt ‘Jerry’ Mondesire earlier this evening. We join his family, friends and the Philadelphia community in mourning his death. Mondesire, 65, was a founding member of PABJ, and a relentless crusader for human and civil rights.” — Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ)