LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A memorial service for late Kaua'i County Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste will be held here July 6 at the Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. A celebration of his life will follow in the Convention Hall auditorium.

Baptiste died at his home Sunday, nine days after heart bypass surgery. He was 52.

At yesterday's county council meeting, Baptiste was remembered with a moment of silence and comments from council members.

Sitting under the Kaua'i County seal with a large black bow attached to it, council chairman Bill "Kaipo" Asing said Baptiste was "a good mayor and council member and true son of Kaua'i."

"Even before he was mayor, he was one of us — a member of the county council," Asing said. "When there were times of crisis, we worked hard together, and when it was a time of happiness, we laughed together. And when it was a time of sorrow, we comforted each other."

Councilman Jay Furfaro said he'd known Baptiste for 30 years and called him "a true alaka'i, a leader," who emphasized stewardship in taking care of Kaua'i.

"He's a real promoter of collaboration," Furfaro said. "He was really focused on leading our county into the future with the spirit of aloha."

The council did not discuss the appointment of an acting mayor to serve until a special election is held to fill the remaining two years of Baptiste's four-year term, which ends in 2010.

Baptiste had been Kaua'i mayor since 2002, and before that served six years on the county council.

Survivors include his wife, Annette; sons Brandon and Preston; and daughters Heather and Lauren.

For the July 6 memorial, aloha attire is suggested. Delivery of flowers to the Convention Hall should be arranged for after 7 a.m. on Sunday.