Remembering Mayor Gary Fazzino

Former Palo Alto Mayor Gary Fazzino passed away at his home Tuesday night. Fazzino was 60. He had been battling cancer for more than two years.

Fazzino became mayor in 1992.

Reaction to Fazzino’s passing was quick and heartfelt. Assemblyman Rich said in a written statement, “Today Palo Alto and the larger Bay Area lost a great leader.  Gary was a cornerstone to the Palo Alto community.  His list of achievements and awards were vast, while his nature was humble and kind.  He will be greatly missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Fazzino family.” 

The Palo Alto Unified School District also released a written statement, “The Board, staff and students of the Palo Alto Unified School District join other members of the community in mourning the passing of Gary Fazzino. Mr. Fazzino was the mayor of Palo Alto for two years, served eighteen years on the Palo Alto City Council and was a long-time supporter of the Palo Alto Unified School District. He was a proud graduate of Palo Alto Unified School District schools, including Palo Alto High School. Over nearly two decades, he was a consistent, visible advocate for District parcel tax and bond measures. He served on the advisory council for the Palo Alto Partners in Education, the District’s education foundation, and the District’s Parcel Tax Oversight Committee.”

As noted in PAUSD’s statement, Fazzino’s public service to the Palo Alto community was dedicated. His business career included terms as vice president of both Hewlett Packard and Applied Materials.

Funeral plans have not been announced. Patch will update this article when information about services becomes available.

Fazzino is survived by his wife and young children.