Leon remembered as loving family man
By Aaron Proctor 05/07/2008
Former City Council candidate and city Planning and Transportation Commission member Mark A. Leon died Friday due to complications from a liver condition stemming from a transplant he had undergone some years ago. He was 47.
Leon, who leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter, was perhaps best known for running a spirited underdog campaign against a handful of candidates for the Pasadena City Council’s vacant District 1 seat in March 2007, now occupied by Councilwoman Jacque Robinson.
A mechanical design engineer by profession, Leon also served as a member of the City Charter Reform Task Force and was a graduate of the Citizen Police Academy.
Remembered by many as a warm, caring, intelligent and witty person, Leon and his family lived in Pasadena for two decades. Leon was also known for his celebrity campaign supporters San Marino residents Jane Kaczmarek of “Malcolm in the Middle” and her husband, “West Wing” actor Bradley Whitford.
“I was shocked when I got the phone call,” said Robinson. “Mark was a consummate professional throughout the campaign. He remained active and I appreciated him. He was active in many Pasadena organizations and he will be missed. I had just seen him Thursday evening at the Leadership Pasadena graduation.”
Local restaurant owner Robin Salzer, another candidate in last year’s District 1 race, and Robinson were the first to provide this reporter Saturday with news of Leon’s death, which was posted that evening on proctorformayor.com.
Leon is survived by his wife Christine, sons David and Daniel, and daughter Diana.
A viewing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Woods Valentine Mortuary, 1455 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday at Friendship Baptist Church, 80 W. Dayton St., Pasadena.
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