CANTON − Thomas Bernabei, Canton’s former mayor and a longtime fixture in local government, has died. He was 79.

Bernabei, who served as mayor from 2016 to 2023, died Dec. 11.

During his time serving the city, Bernabei transformed Canton through several initiatives, including the construction of Centennial Plaza downtown and lending support to housing, workforce development, after-school programs and social services.

"I would sum up my eight years as mayor as hopefully transformative for the city of Canton," he told the Canton Repository in December 2023 as he prepared to leave the mayor's office.

A lifelong Stark County resident, Bernabei began his public service career as an assistant prosecutor at Massillon Municipal Court nearly 50 years ago. He became an assistant law director i

See Full Page