J. Michael Schweder was many things to many people: Friend, coach, leader, patron.

But above all he was a son of Bethlehem.

The beloved former state representative and city council president died Jan. 15 at the age of 71.

Long-time colleagues and friends remember him as wholly dedicated: Once he set his mind to something, his path was unwavering, and the city was in his blood: His grandfather was the city’s first fire chief, and the Schweder Fire Station on the Southside is named for him.

Mayor Bob Donchez worked alongside Schweder on council for years, and first met him while working on Schweder’s father’s mayoral campaign as Young Democrats in 1965.

“It was our first political campaign. Both of us continued to be involved in politics,” Donchez said.

“He served with integrity and passion. He was very direct in his manner and quiet, and expected honest and direct answers. He was a great person to be with … funny and engaging. He really believed in giving back to the community.”

Local lawyer Christopher Spadoni met Schweder in 1969 while researching colleges. A proponent of Lycoming College in Williamsport, at which he was a junior at the time, Schweder persuaded the younger man to join him.

“Mike was a star athlete, and I was in sports as well, and in many respects he was a mentor of mine, even though he was only two years older. He was respected on campus; he was a terrific athlete. He had a lot going for him. On the football field he was a monster. I think to this day he still holds some records.”

Spadoni said Schweder continued to support Lycoming throughout his life, even recruiting students and athletes from the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia Catholic schools.

“Number one, he had integrity. You never had to wonder where his moral compass was pointing. I was around him for decades and could never think of him doing anything less than [right] … whether it would be popular or not.

“It was always a pleasure to be with Mike and his family. He cared immensely about Bethlehem, Liberty and Lycoming and he bore that out. He did a lot of good stuff for the city. He was purposeful and resolute in the things he cared about. You never had to worry he was a fair weather friend. He would be there and he would help.”

For all of Schweder’s accomplishments, “He couldn’t golf for s-t,” Spadoni laughed. “He and Dave DiGiacinto spent more summer afternoons at Saucon Valley Country Club than any other duo that I can think of.” DiGiancinto, a city council member and Schweder’s best friend, died in 2015, and Schweder helped organize an annual golf fundraiser in his name.

“He and Dave were best friends. The only time I saw Mike less than sure of himself was when he had to speak at Dave’s funeral,” he said.

But he was nevertheless a people person who could mix with any crowd, Spadoni said, from national executives to residents with parking issues.

Sharing Spadoni’s view of Schweder as a man of the city, Donchez concluded, “He had a great love of Bethlehem and he made a great contribution as a member of city council and also as a member of the state legislature. Bethlehem is a better place because of Mike Schweder.”