By Lisa J. Huriash | lhuriash@sunsentinel.com | South Florida Sun Sentinel
Thomas "Tom" Ansbro, the city attorney for Fort Lauderdale who spent his career in public service, died Tuesday night, according to city officials. He was 77.
Ansbro's career with the city of Fort Lauderdale began in 1976, and he served in several roles, including assistant city prosecutor, city prosecutor, assistant city attorney and deputy city attorney, according to City Hall.
Jamie Alan Cole, Weston's city attorney, said Ansbro worked for his law firm in the early 2000s when he was city attorney in Dania Beach, then left the firm to work for City Hall as in-house counsel.
"Tom was a great person, one of the nicest people I've worked with," Cole said. "He had a true sense of community and caring about people. He was definitely in it for the right reason.
"As you drive through the cities you can see his footprint he left, different projects he worked on, buildings, facilities, parks, all different kinds of projects he was involved in over the years," Cole said.
After more than two decades in Dania Beach, he rejoined the city of Fort Lauderdale in October 2023 as the city attorney.
In a prepared statement, Mayor Dean Trantalis called Ansbro "an unwavering and dedicated public servant."
"His contributions to Fort Lauderdale will never be forgotten, and we are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind," the mayor said.
Ansbro was a graduate of the University of Florida School of Law.
Ansbro is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two adult sons, Anthony and Noah.
D'Wayne Spence will become acting city attorney until city commissioners appoint an interim city attorney at the next City Commission meeting.