Former San Leandro Mayor Anthony ‘Tony’ Santos dies

April 19-- Apr. 19--SAN LEANDRO -- Former Mayor Anthony "Tony" Santos, who brought a steady hand to City Hall during times of economic uncertainty and whose stint as an elected representative was one of the longest in San Leandro history, has died.

Santos, who was age 86, died Monday at his home, surrounded by family.

He served a total of 18 years as an elected official in San Leandro.

A retired insurance claims manager, Santos was first elected in 1984 to the City Council in 1984, where he served eight years until 1992.

He served again on the council from 2000 to 2006 before he became mayor, taking over from Shelia Young, who was termed out. He lost his bid for re-election in 2010.

While Santos secured the most first-place votes during his second mayoral contest, he failed to keep his seat because of ranked-choice voting -- a system he supported as a way to save money in run-off elections -- and lost out to Stephen Cassidy.

"I want everybody who lives in this city, who works in this city, to be proud of it," Santos said in a farewell address as mayor. "Not to say you're entitled to something because you live here. But you need to contribute to this community and to this city."

Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter directed city flags lowered to half-staff in Santos' honor.

"San Leandro has benefited greatly from former Mayor Santos' tireless work, which helped bring many notable developments to our community," Cutter said. "Tony was a dear friend and an example of the public servant we all aspire to be."

Santos was mayor during the recession, and the dismal economy made for a rough time in the city's top elected post, with City Hall experiencing budget deficits and reductions in staff and services.

But under his leadership the city still broke ground on a Kaiser-Permanente hospital and approved the Senior Community Center on East 14th Street, a place that now serves thousands of visitors each year.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of an outstanding public servant and long-time San Leandro resident," City Manager Jeff Kay said. "Tony was the mayor when I began my career in San Leandro, and I admired his friendliness, positive attitude, and commitment to working with our staff to best serve the community."

As mayor, Santos helped the city secure a $2.4 million federal grant to hire five police officers.

He also spearhead the creation of a group that works to curb the sound of jet aircraft from Oakland International Airport passing over San Leandro at night.

"We have achieved a special quality of life in our city, expanding and preserving open space, strengthening public safety, and keeping our city's financial base strong while other communities struggle," Santos said in 2010, when he was running for re-election as mayor.

During his farewell address Santos, who had lived in San Leandro since 1963, called for more diversity at City Hall to better represent the city's changing demographics, saying Asians and Hispanics should be on the council.

"They are not as represented as they should be," Santos said.

He urged the public to support unions, pointing to the benefits of good wages and pensions that his family enjoyed through membership to show what they can do to help people achieve a better quality of life.

He also was a staunch advocate of public transportation and tried to regularly take an AC Transit bus from his home in the Marina Faire neighborhood to City Hall and other places around town.

"Tony Santos lived and breathed San Leandro, and passionately cared for its success," Cassidy said.

Santos' background included serving on the League of California Cities and at a variety of internal and intergovernmental agencies.

A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, and the oldest of four children born to Isabelle and Anthony Santos, the former mayor arrived with his family on the mainland in the 1940s.

He graduated from Alameda High School in 1951 and entered the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a medic. He met his wife, Melitta, while stationed in Germany. They were married 63 years.

After returning to the Bay Area following his time in the military, Santos earned a history degree from San Francisco State University, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college.

He worked in insurance for almost 50 years, including for Safeco Insurance as a claims manager.

Growing up during the Depression, Santos' childhood hero was President Franklin Roosevelt, who sparked an interest in politics and public service that remained with him throughout his life, according to his family.

Survivors include his wife, his son Michael, and his daughter Karen Enos, and three grandchildren.

Santos's son Michael serves on San Leandro's Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments.

A viewing will take place noon to 8 p.m., with a vigil starting at 6:30 p.m., on April 26 at Santos Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro.

Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. on May 4 at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 2500 Bermuda Ave., San Leandro.

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