Just two days past the anniversary of Tim Russert’s death, his sister managed a slight smile as she spoke of her brother’s kind-hearted nature, Irish heritage and genuine good will toward others and the city of Buffalo.

Kathy Russert-Hughes’ eyes began to water as she thought about the last year, how difficult it has been for family members and herself to remember him on holidays, or miss his face every Sunday, the day each week they could see him on television interviewing a high-powered politician on “Meet the Press.”

“I miss him terribly,” she said, holding a candle at the vigil held Monday evening to honor Russert’s memory. “He was always just a phone call away. It’s just really hard with Timmy not here. I just miss him, it’s such a big loss.

“He was a life force, and as a family, we were all really close. Timmy, he would have wanted us to be strong for him.”

A group of about 35 people gathered at Tim Russert Park on Indian Church Road in West Seneca to commemorate a man who became one of Buffalo’s great ambassadors, speaking often of his South Buffalo upbringing, his education at Canisius High School and his passion for the Buffalo Bills.

Russert’s sudden death of a heart attack at age 58 last year warranted wall-to-wall coverage on his network, NBC, and is still felt in a community that remembers a straight-forward, loving, family man.

Mayor Byron W. Brown said the city’s residents came together “to celebrate his life, his love and to keep his memory alive.”

“This is such a great way for us to remember Tim Russert,” Brown said. “[He], as we all know, really did love Buffalo. He talked about it every time he had the chance, but the love and the pride he showed for this city is why we cherish his memory.”

South Council Member Michael P. Kearns said the small, cozy group was fitting for Russert’s memory.

He said life is about moving on, about living, something Kearns said Russert knew better than anyone.

“He was someone special for our community,” Kearns said. “And this shows us that he will be remembered for what he did. . . . We will not forget Tim. He is in our memories and he won’t ever be forgotten.”

April Duke, of the South Buffalo Community Block Club and organizer of the event, said she remembers Russert as a very genuine person.

Duke said she raises her children and lives her own life by the morals and lessons that he instilled to the city and its residents. She said his honesty and humble nature made him a household name, where everyone thought they knew who Russert was, even if they had never met.

“What you saw with Tim is exactly what you got,” Duke said. “It was either black or white. There was no gray areas with him. He always sought the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God.

“This is his hometown, and he’s just such a wonderful, wonderful man. He’s in our hearts, and mine especially. Tim is my hero.”