Marty Nelis

Martin Nelis, 54 and originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, had served in the  US for over a decade as a dedicated public servant, Public Information Office for Pleasant Hill, California.

A father of three, he is also mourned by his mother, former Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle, Mary Nelis. 

According to ABC7 in San Francisco, Nelis was riding his bike with a friend along the Reliez Valley Road in Lafayette around lunchtime on Thursday, August 2, when a call came into the Contra Costa County Sheriff about a man hit by a big-rig truck. He was rushed to the hospital but died there from his injuries. 

Tim Flaherty, the mayor of Pleasant Hill and a friend and colleague of Nelis', gave a heartfelt statement about Nelis and his impact on the community. 

"Martin was often the first to volunteer for any civic event or meeting, and the last to leave and turn off the lights," a statement from the city said.

Mayor Flaherty described him as the "quintessential dedicated public servant and a wonderful member of the community".

“There’s been a huge tear in the community fabric. He became so involved in virtually every public aspect, like community events. Martin was incredibly bright and witty and a true Irishman.”

He added: "This is a wonderful place to work, to play, to live, and a lot of that, most of it, is because of Martin’s hard work.

"We’re all kind of absorbing what this means to everything he was involved in for the city."

Pleasant Hill's Summer By the Lake concert series on Sunday night turned into a tribute for Nelis and a celebration of his life, featuring one of his favorite local bands The Big Jangle. 

According to the Irish News, there will be a memorial service in Pleasant Hill on Thursday, August 9, after which Nelis' ashes will be returned to Derry.