By Lisa J. Huriash reports …

Margate Commissioner Arthur Bross, who served the city as an elected official for 22 years, died of cancer Wednesday at his home. He was 74.

Mr. Bross, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March, kept his illness a secret from the rest of the commission. He had missed city meetings since August as the cancer spread, family members said.

City Manager Frank Porcella described Mr. Bross as “friendly and compassionate to residents and employees,” a man who was “fair and stern in his beliefs. He certainly spoke his mind.”

“There isn’t a resident or business person who hasn’t been influenced or benefitted from the leadership of over 20 years,” Porcella said. “He’s overseen all the good that’s been done here in Margate.”

Before Mr. Bross ran for office in 1988, he spent 11 years on the Board of Adjustments and was an active member of the Margate Democratic Club. He was appointed twice to the council – for eight months in 1974 and for seven months in 1976 – after elected officials resigned.

He was a semi-retired property manager of condos throughout the city. He won in 1988 and went on to serve as commissioner, vice mayor and mayor.

His pet city service was always the fire department. Firefighters got Mr. Bross elected in 1988 by campaigning for him because he promised to abolish a public safety department and keep the city’s police and fire departments.

The plan, which was about to be implemented during the 1988 election, called for police officers and firefighters to be cross-trained and share duties.

Firefighters argued it would hurt morale and job performance and erode their effectiveness. They picketed City Hall, urging voters to dump commissioners who supported the program.

Mr. Bross told the Sun Sentinel in 1988 that voters elected him because he would help sooth the rift.

“You can’t be sitting across the bargaining table all the time,” he said. “It’s got to end…. I feel I can communicate [with city employees]. If they know somebody is listening, that’s half the battle.”

“He was definitely on our side on that,” said Fire Chief Garry Westbrook. “He was kind of a fire guy.”

Son Denis Bross, of Davie, said his father was born in Teaneck, N.J., and came to Florida in 1972. He immediately sized up the political layout.

“He was always interested in it and looked for a seat in office,” Denis Bross said. “He wanted to serve and help develop the city. He definitely enjoyed it, he enjoyed working with the people, the fire department.”

City attorney Eugene Steinfeld said the city charter requires a special city election to fill the rest of Mr. Bross’ term, which ends in November 2012. The special election will be sometime between Dec. 13 and Jan. 13.

“We’re trying to figure this out right now, how much this is going to cost, and coordinate it with the county,” Steinfeld said.

In addition to his son, Mr. Bross is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Bross, and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 1 N. State Road 7 in Margate.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 6350 NW 18th St. in Margate.