From left, former Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews is honored by current Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher with a proclamation during a celebration of Matthews' public service in June. File Photo.

Joe Matthews, the longest serving mayor in the history of Marietta, has passed away, according to a Facebook post on Sunday by Mayor Josh Schlicher.

“He leaves a lasting mark on Marietta,” Schlicher said.

Matthews, who in June received the William Booth Award from the Salvation Army for decades of service to the city, was mayor from 1992 to 2003, then from 2012 to 2019. He retired from the fire department after 24 years of service in 1990 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school. He was in his mid 80s.

“On behalf of all current and former employees of the city of Marietta, I send condolences to his family,” Schlicher said.