Former SDLP assembly member John Fee has died as a result of a brain tumour.
Mr Fee, 43, was elected to represent Newry and Armagh in 1998, but lost his seat in the 2003 election.
He had also been a member of Newry and Mourne District Council and was parliamentary research assistant to Seamus Mallon for 10 years.
Mr Fee died at his Crossmaglen home on Saturday evening. Former party colleague Dominic Bradley said Mr Fee was a "talented and generous" man.
He said Mr Fee would be greatly missed.
"He hadn't been ill for very long and it was certainly a shock for us all to learn of his death," he said.
"He was well-known during the darkest days of political violence here for his forthright views. He stood up strongly for peace."
Ulster Unionist assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Danny Kennedy, said Mr Fee had been a "courageous and dedicated public representative."
Local MP Conor Murphy of Sinn Fein said in a statement on Monday he was saddened to learn of Mr Fee's death.
Members of the Stormont assembly extended their condolences to his family.
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