Wilton Manors mayor was on his way to a city meeting when he died of a brain aneurysm
UPDATE: A celebration of life for Mayor Justin Flippen has been set for 6 p.m. March 6 at The Venue Fort Lauderdale, 2345 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors.
Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen, who was first elected to the City Commission in 2008, died suddenly Tuesday night of a brain aneurysm.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the news that Mayor Justin Flippen has passed away very unexpectedly,” The Pride Center said in a Facebook post. “Justin led by example by being a strong leader. Our community was better because of his hard work and he will be deeply missed.”
In 2018, Wilton Manors — which according to the city is the second gayest city in America — became the first city in Florida’s history to have an all-LGBTQ City Commission.
Flippen, 41, was on his way to a commission meeting Tuesday when he became ill and was rushed to the hospital, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Medical Examiner’s confirmation
The Broward County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed Wednesday that Flippen’s cause of death was a brain aneurysm. “The manner of death was natural,” Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell said in a statement.
“City staff is communicating with his family, and we ask everyone to be respectful of that,” Wilton Manors officials said on its web page.
A celebration of life is in the planning stages and will be announced on the city’s web page and through its social media accounts.
“His death was a shock to us all, and we ask that you allow city staff to work through those details,” the city said in a statement.
Flippen was born in Broward, graduated from Coconut Creek High, Florida Atlantic University and received a law degree from the University of Florida. He was running for reelection in November.
Local and state reaction
Local and state leaders took to social media Tuesday to share their condolences.
“Very sad news to learn that my friend Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen passed away way too young,” Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Góngora tweeted. “RIP.”
“Justin was a great kid. I’ve watched him grow up from a 20-something legislative aide to the mayor of Wilton Manors. He was engaged. He was getting married. He was so full of hope for the future. I’m just devastated,” Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the Sun Sentinel.
Andrew Gillum, a former candidate for Florida governor, said Flippen was “an inspiring leader” who was lost “far too soon.”
A candidate’s remembrance
Flippen’s sudden death even made the national stage.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the presidential race, took a moment from campaigning to tweet his condolences.
Buttigieg said Flippen was “so encouraging and kind whenever we saw him.” He added, “Our communities owe so much to public servants like Justin.”
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 10:48 PM.
