Former Westbrook City Councilor Paul LeConte died March 1 at Gosnell House after 12 years with Alzheimer’s disease, according to his obituary.

LeConte, a well-known figure, grew up in Westbrook and, at age 7, he delivered the Portland Press Herald. He served on the City Council several years ago and was once a mayoral candidate. He was involved in the community beyond politics.

“Paul loved the city of Westbrook,” his obituary said.

“It’s a big loss for the city,” former Westbrook Mayor Ken Lefebvre, president of First Choice Title Co. in Gorham, said Tuesday.

Lefebvre, also a former Westbrook council president, served on the board with LeConte and remembered him as a dedicated and a hard worker.

“He always came to meetings prepared,” Lefebvre said. “You didn’t have to worry about that.”

Former Mayor Mike Sanphy remembered LeConte as a pleasant man and as the owner of Paul’s Shoe Repair in the city’s Cumberland Mills section. “I saw him downtown all the time,” Sanphy said.

“He made the rounds in the coffee shops,” Sanphy said, and was well liked. “He got along with everybody.”

LeConte graduated from Westbrook High School in 1952. His obituary said in high school he played football and softball. As an adult, he coached Little League, attended Catholic churches and was elected to the school board.

He was predeceased by his wife, Diane, a longtime librarian at Walker Memorial Library.

Paul LeConte’s full obituary can be seen in the Portland Press Herald.