Category: obituary

Charles Gilcrest, San Leandro politico known for his advocacy and kindness, dies

Charles Gilcrest, the long-time political consultant and local insider who helped start the political careers of many San Leandro elected officials, and later served as informal advisors for several mayors and councilmembers, died on Monday. He was 64. Gilcrest was serving the last year of his first term as a board director on the Eden … Continue reading Charles Gilcrest, San Leandro politico known for his advocacy and kindness, dies →

Joseph Hilson, three-term Hayward councilmember, passes

Joseph Hilson served on the Hayward CityCouncil from 1992 to 2004.HAYWARD CITY COUNCILJoseph Hilson, a three-term Hayward councilmember, who was an early adopter of technology in local government, has died.Hilson was elected in 1992 and served through 2004, before he was defeated in a watershed Hayward council election."He was a pleasure to work with and … Continue reading Joseph Hilson, three-term Hayward councilmember, passes →

‘Lil’ Arnerich, former Alameda councilmember, passes at age 89

'Lil' Arnerich served two terms on the Alameda City Council.ALAMEDAAnthony 'Lil' Arnerich, a former Alameda councilmember and civic leader, particularly in the retrofitting of Alameda High School, and an advocate for youth sports, died Friday. He was 89.Arnerich's stint in Alameda politics began in 1988 when he was appointed to the City Council and was elected … Continue reading ‘Lil’ Arnerich, former Alameda councilmember, passes at age 89 →

Ron Cowan, Alameda mover and shaker, Harbor Bay developer, dies.

Harbor Bay Isle developer, Ron Cowan, passed away Jan. 11.APPRECIATION | In 2014, I was commissioned to write a short history of Ron Cowan's life and the building of Alameda's Harbor Bay Isle. Cowan passed away on Jan. 11, at age 82. Over the span of nine months, I listened to hours of stories about his … Continue reading Ron Cowan, Alameda mover and shaker, Harbor Bay developer, dies. →

Laython Landis, long-time, controversial San Leandro public official, has died

Laython Landis, in a photo from earlier this year,served 42 years in public office.SAN LEANDRO | OBIT | Layton Landis, the long-serving East Bay sanitary district member and former San Leandro City Councilman, who retired from public office earlier this year over controversial statements, has died. He was 89.After serving on the Oro Loma Sanitary … Continue reading Laython Landis, long-time, controversial San Leandro public official, has died →

Mary King, first black female Alameda County supervisor; power broker, dies

Mary King looking over a design for the new Bay Bridge span. PHOTO/MTCALAMEDA COUNTY | OBIT | Trailblazing three-term Alameda County Supervisor Mary King died Sunday following a long illness. She was 69.In 1988, King became the first black woman ever elected to the traditionally all-male, all-white Alameda County Board of Supervisors.She served the District Four seat … Continue reading Mary King, first black female Alameda County supervisor; power broker, dies →

Bill McCammon, former Alameda County Fire Chief, dies

McCammon's 2006 Assembly race againstMary Hayashi was notable for its vitriol.ALAMEDA COUNTY | Bill McCammon, a former Alameda County fire chief and head of the the East Bay Regional Communication System Authority, died in his sleep Monday morning from an apparent heart attack. He was 61.In addition to leading the Alameda County Fire Department for … Continue reading Bill McCammon, former Alameda County Fire Chief, dies →