Former Vermont lawmaker dies of coronavirus

A former Vermont lawmaker has died from the coronavirus.

Republican Bernie Juskiewicz passed away Wednesday after being hospitalized with the illness.

Juskiewicz represented the town of Cambridge in the Legislature from 2013 to 2018.

He first moved to Vermont with his wife and kids in 1978 to work at the IBM plant in Essex Junction. He also served stints on the Cambridge school board, select board and town finance committee.

“Bernie served the people of Cambridge and Waterville with distinction in the House of Representatives, always placing their interests first," Gov. Phil Scott said in a statement Wednesday. "I had the privilege of working with him during his time in the legislature and saw firsthand just how committed he was to his community."

Scott ordered state flags to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor his memory.

Juskiewicz leaves behind his wife, Suzan, three children and four grandchildren.