AVENTURA, Fla. – Aventura Commissioner Michael Stern died early Thursday morning after battling colon cancer for the past five years, his wife confirmed on social media. He was 57 years old.
“We were together for 27 years,” Randy Lipman Stern wrote in her post Thursday morning. “Last night my warrior husband lost his 5 year battle to colon cancer. He fought with tremendous bravery and courage. He passed very peacefully at home, surrounded by love.”
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According to a news release announcing his death, Michael Stern passed away at 1:45 a.m. Thursday.
Aside from being a commissioner, Michael Stern was also one of the creators of Aventura Magazine and spent much of his time after his diagnosis in 2019 urging others to get a colonoscopy.
He became an ambassador for Fight CRC and also advocated for funding cancer research in Washington.
“His commitment to public service makes him the second longest-serving elected official in Aventura’s history, first from 2005-2014, before returning to the commission in 2022 after campaigning while battling a recurrence of his cancer,” the news release stated.
“Michael Stern epitomized what it meant to be a public servant,” Mayor Howard Weinberg said in a statement Thursday. “Serving together was a privilege, but being his friend was truly an honor. We will ensure that his work lives on and continues to save lives.”
Stern is survived by his wife, Randy, his children, Jordan and Ryan, and his mother, Roz.
His funeral will be held at noon Sunday at the Aventura Government Center.