Newark officials announced the death of a sitting member of the city’s school board Wednesday.
According to Newark officials, Mr. Octavio “Tave” Padilla, 57, died Wednesday at University Hospital last week after suffering an unconfirmed medical condition believed to be a heart attack.
Officials say Padilla was a current Newark Board of Education member who assumed office in 2016 and the term was expected to end in 2022.
Padilla was born and raised in Newark to Puerto Rican parents, who migrated to Newark in the 1950s in search of opportunity.
According to published reports, a father to two adult children, Padilla deeply understood the importance of access to quality education and varied recreational options for Newark’s students and residents.
Reports said Padilla worked directly with youth for over 25 years—as a professional and volunteer—focusing on impacting lives in positive and meaningful ways.